Victoria Embankment paddling pool: At least another year to wait until reopening

Families will have one more summer to wait before they can use the historic Victoria Embankment paddling pool as work gets under way to reopen the facility. Construction work has begun on the site, which dates back to the 1940s.

Nottingham City Council closed it in the summer of 2021 due to ongoing issues with water leaks. The authority said at the time that the current equipment had been in place since the 1980s and that finding replacements was becoming increasingly difficult to fund, leading to the facility's closure.

Funding of around £750,000 from sources including the National Lottery Heritage Fund and contributions from property developers now means that work has got under way. Yet the pool will not be ready in time for this year's summer holidays, leading to disappointment for many.

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Councillor Sam Lux, the executive member for carbon reduction, leisure and culture at Nottingham City Council, said in a meeting on Monday (July 8): "The facility will be an open paddling pool area and a new splash pad...The works will also include new water recycling and filtration which will help to ensure the facility reduces annual costs and operate more sustainably from an environmental perspective.

"The construction will be going on through this summer and is currently scheduled for completion later in the autumn, which will give the green space team plenty of time to prepare ready for an opening in late 2025."

Nottingham City Council originally said the facility would open in mid-September and, on the timing issue, Councillor Kirsty Jones, who represents Clifton East for the Nottingham Independents, said: "Whilst I welcome the work on the Victoria Embankment paddling pool, given the funding for it was secured last September, does the executive member appreciate the disappointment of local residents who will once again have another summer without this treasured local facility?"

Councillor Lux responded: "I appreciate the disappointment. It's not something I've had much personal involvement with up until this stage." Wider improvements at the Victoria Embankment have included the restoration of the memorial gardens using funding from the National Lottery, government, war memorials trust and city council.