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Paddling pool due to reopen before the end of the month after sealant testing

The paddling pool at Hamworthy Park
The paddling pool at Hamworthy Park

A POPULAR community paddling pool is still on track to reopen before the end of the month.

Work has been taking place at the facility in Hamworthy Park in recent weeks to find the best solution for an issue around sealant.

The pool was closed at the height of the summer season in 2021 after a safety issue relating to the sealant was identified during a routine inspection.

BCP Council has fenced off the pool while contractors work to complete testing on site.

In a post on social media, Friends of Hamworthy Park urged people not to go try to go into the pool while it is still not fully operational.

The group said the council had been testing different sealant to find one that sticks properly.

The sealant is part of the pool structure to stop toes getting stubbed or stuck between the joints that separate the concrete slabs of the pool.

Bournemouth Echo:
Bournemouth Echo:

A spokesperson for Friends of Hamworthy Park said: “The six slabs are joined together with a form of waterproof expansion joint much lower down. This is because the water table in the park rises and falls with the tide – this action led to the previous pool base cracking.

“The new pool has separate slabs with expansion joints so the slabs can move without cracking. The sealant is for safety and cosmetic purposes, but has repeatedly lifted throughout the last few seasons. Hopefully, the new sealants will provide a permanent solution.”

A BCP Council spokesperson said: “We are working with our contractor on the final phase of completing the Hamworthy Paddling Pool refurbishment works.

“The sealant is in place and final testing and cleaning of the pool will be carried out over the next week. The pool will be refilled and then we look forward to opening towards the end of May as planned. We can’t wait to see families and visitors enjoying the pool again this summer.”

The paddling pool was subject to a prolonged and delayed £381,000 refurbishment project before the pandemic.

It reopened at the end of July 2019 after months of work were required to solve a water pressure issue.

The Friends of Hamworthy Park raised £31,000 towards the refurbishment.