Splash Pad closed until July

The Splash Pad will be closed until July whilst the floor is resurfaced at no cost to taxpayers. 

The facility in King George V Park opened for the season in May but closed on 1st June due to issues with the recently installed flooring  

Contractor The Splash, who installed the facility and re-laid the flooring last year, is now due to install a new sub-surface and relay the tiles, with work commencing on 22nd June. The town council is hoping to reopen the facility on 10th July once the work is complete. 

Mayor Saffi Rabey said, “Following a meeting with The Splash, I am pleased that we have secured a commitment for the flooring issues to be fully rectified before the summer holidays, at no cost to taxpayers. 

“While I welcome this outcome, it is our duty to hold contractors to account when they fail to meet the standards we expect on behalf of our residents. I look forward to seeing the splash pad reopened and enjoyed by the community once more. I know how many parents and children will share my disappointment that we have found ourselves in this position again.” 

New flooring was laid in the Splash Pad last year at a cost of £18,145. 

Earlier this year, Melksham Town Council also voted to spend more than £26,000 to improve the efficiency of the Splash Pad after it was closed for a total of 44 days last year due to hygiene issues, technical faults and issues with the flooring. 

A spokesperson for The Splash said the flooring product used was relatively new to the UK market but had been successfully installed at locations across Europe. They said it offered advantages over traditional wet-pour safety surfacing, particularly in terms of cleanliness and hygiene. 

“We have identified an issue relating to the adhesion of the tiles to the concrete base,” the spokesperson said. “We are confident that a suitable solution has now been established and are actively working to implement it.” 

“In order to carry out these essential remedial works safely and efficiently, the park will need to be temporarily closed. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate the community’s patience and understanding.”