Three Dorset paddling pools set to reopen for summer

BCP Council said it was "a great relief" children would be able to enjoy the pools again

Three paddling pools in Dorset are set to reopen later this month.

The sites at Redhill in Bournemouth, the Quomps Splashpark in Christchurch and Hamworthy Park in Poole are expected to open on or shortly after 24 May, once maintenance and safety checks have been completed.

Christchurch Town Council will manage and operate the pool at Quomps Splashpark moving forward.

BCP Council is funding the other two facilities for this year.

Swimmers at Hamworthy Park will have an option to donate to Friends of Hamworthy Park charity, which provided a subsidy to the council funding.

The donations will help towards high maintenance costs and secure the funds needed to cover operating costs in future years.

Councillor Andy Hadley, portfolio holder for climate response, environment and energy, said BCP Council's challenge to close a £50m funding gap in the 2024/25 budget had meant considering "difficult decisions".

"It is a great relief, thanks to the support of our partners, that children in the BCP area will once again be able to enjoy these paddling pools this summer," he added.

The council said it remained keen to speak with businesses and organisations who are interested in sponsoring Redhill paddling pool in 2025 and beyond, following this year's summer season.

Karl Stokes, chair of trustees of Friends of Hamworthy Park, said they "couldn't allow" their paddling pool not to reopen as it provided "so much joy" and "benefit" to their youngest visitors.

The Littledown Park paddling pool in Bournemouth will also reopen this summer, managed and operated by BH Live charity, in partnership with BCP Council.

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