Anger at closure of paddling pool

MELKSHAM families have expressed their disappointment following the news that the paddling pool in the park is to close permanently.

Earlier this month Melksham Town Council voted to not proceed with plans to re-open the paddling pool after hearing that it would cost £8,500 to refurbish and run the pool for the upcoming summer holidays.

Instead, the council decided to focus on exploring other ideas to create a different facility for children to enjoy.

The news has received a mixed reaction from the Melksham community, with many upset that their children will not be able to enjoy the pool like they did when they were younger. “It’s a shame as the pleasure it has given the generations is huge.” said Sarah Clover on the Melksham News Facebook page.

Melksham local Julie Anne Farrell said, “It has been enjoyed by generations of children and should be kept open.”

“What a shame. If some of the money poured into the Market Place had been allocated to this paddling pool and the park in general, it would be much more beneficial to the Melksham townsfolk and their families,” added Vicky Gingell.

Whilst the majority of comments called for the paddling pool to remain open, some locals could empathise with the town council’s decision, but were sceptical about how long it would take for something to open in its place. Melksham local Claire Humphries-Harral said, “Such a shame, but see the thinking behind it. Which is ok until the town council pulls out because costs aren’t kept in check, or it takes years and years of planning and still doesn’t happen whilst the money dwindles away!”

“£9,000 a year for six weeks use on and off, seems a lot but a drop in the ocean when you look at money spent (and wasted) elsewhere,” added local Rocco Richards.

Some comments called for the community to pull together to think of ideas as to how the pool could be re-opened. “I understand the cost but surely some kind hearted builders could rescue (the pool) and do it on audit as a charitable deed. The public could set a up a team to clean it and keep the area tidy during summer,” suggested Deborah Hutton-Rudwick.

Agreeing with the suggestion that a local business could help, Eddie Dicks said, “Local builders and trades if organised and directed could sort (materials) loads cheaper, the money could easily be raised by Facebook and word of mouth and the trades to help out,

“A lot of us have the burden of kids, the loves they are, and most paddled in that pool. Future kids should be allowed to do the same.”

In reaction to comments on the Melksham News Facebook page, Deputy Mayor of Melksham, cllr Jon Hubbard offered reassurance to the Melksham community.

“When making the really difficult decision to not fund refurbishing the paddling pool, for me the main issue was that we would be paying about £150 a day for six weeks for the pool, while the rest of the year it would sit empty,” said cllr Hubbard.

“I think that the decision to say let’s use that money to create a long-term alternative play amenity where the pool is, and then look to install a new splash pad in another part of the park is the right one.

“We can’t put the new splash pad where the paddling pool is, as it is an area that floods and that would wreck a splash pad.

“So the new play amenity should be in for the summer, it will be procured and its installation managed by the town council so there shouldn’t be any of the problems that we have seen with the Market Place and it will be there to stay.

“Once the town council has been given full control of the park, then it will be able to source the rest of the £100,000 required to fund a splash pad and we can get that installed.”

The pool was closed by Wiltshire Council last year as it was deemed not fit for purpose and the council says it doesn’t have the money to open the pool this summer.