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26
May
Frustration as paddling pools set to remain empty throughout half-term
As temperatures passed the 30-degree mark over the bank holiday weekend, three council-run paddling pools remained closed to the public.
The pools in Harrogate’s Valley Gardens, Knaresborough’s Bebra Gardens and at Ripon’s Borrage Green play area normally open for the summer season on the late May bank holiday weekend, but all three currently stand empty after problems with their the drainage systems were identified during maintenance.
They are not expected to be filled during the half-term holiday.
A sign at the paddling pool.
According to a spokesperson for North Yorkshire Council, the issues were identified as part of a more stringent inspection process brought in after responsibility for the venues came under the council’s control when it succeeded Harrogate Borough Council in 2023.
Engineers are due to visit the three sites this week and the outcome will help inform how long the pools remain shut. But the spokesperson said the council hoped to be able to reopen the pools by the start of the school summer holidays in mid-July.
North Yorkshire Council’s corporate director for environment, Karl Battersby, said:
We are taking a more thorough approach to inspecting sites like these, and as a result our engineers have identified a potential issue with the drainage system which needs further investigation.
Our priority is the safety of the public, and as a precaution the pools will remain closed while this work is carried out. Once the issue has been resolved, the pools will undergo their usual annual maintenance to ensure they are safe and ready to use.
We know how valued these facilities are by local families, especially during warmer weather like we’re experiencing now, and we are working to resolve the situation as quickly and safely as possible.
The paddling pool in Harrogate's Valley Gardens is still empty.
Public reaction online varied from the outraged to the philosophical, but one poster joked:
Get every person in Harrogate to bring one bucket of water. Problem solved!
Councillor Sam Gibbs, a Conservative who represents the Valley Gardens and Central Harrogate division, said it was “frustrating” that it had not been possible to open the pools in time for the hot bank holiday weekend, and added:
I appreciate how valued these facilities are by local families, and want to reassure residents that I am aware and working with the team to resolve the issue as quickly as possible and get them open! But safety has to be a priority.
In a Facebook update this morning, Matt Walker, a Liberal Democrat who represents Knaresborough West on North Yorkshire Council and also serves on Knaresborough Town Council, wrote:
We understand this will be disappointing news for many residents and families, especially during this beautiful weather, and we appreciate the loss this is to our town.
We have been advised that they hope to have the paddling pool open again as soon as possible, and we will continue to keep residents updated as we receive further information.
The paddling pool at Ripon's Borrage Green play area.
Cllr Andrew Williams, who leads the Independent Putting Ripon Before Party Politics group on Ripon City Council, has requested the paddling pools remain open for longer at the end of summer. He said:
I have discussed extending the season by two or three weeks in September to make up for the two or three weeks we are likely to lose at the start of the season.
I had a site meeting at the end of March and wasn’t advised there were issues then that would impact on the opening of the pool eight weeks later.
Cllr Williams added the city council spent £7,000 a year installing temporary toilets at the play area because it recognised the importance of the paddling pool to families.
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