A £200,000 CASH injection to enhance the area around Gheluvelt Park’s popular Splashpad has been approved by council chiefs.
Members of Worcester City Council’s cabinet gave the thumbs up plans to build a new toilet block, community room and refreshment kiosk at the Sons of Rest building at a meeting last Tuesday (July 28).
Cash from the Government’s New Homes Bonus scheme will be used to fund the project which has come to fruition after repeated discussions between local councillors and the Friends of Gheluvelt Park.
Speaking at the meeting, Coun Andy Roberts, cabinet member for Cleaner, Greener and Safer city, said: “The people who use this with their families come and set down their towels and are set for the day.”
“The problem comes when the little ones need the toilet or people need refreshment because the current facilities are too far away.
“We need to provide new toilets much closer to the area.
“It would be remiss of me not to pay tribute to former councillor Liz Smith and the Friends of Gheluvelt Park for pushing this through,” he added.
Labour councillor Joy Squires welcomed the news but questioned whether current providers of refreshments would be able to bid to provide food and drink in the proposed new kiosk.
Coun Roberts responded and said current businesses who sell food and drink to visitors to the Splashpad would be invited to get involved.
Council leader, Coun Simon Geraghty said he was delighted by how popular the park had become and wanted to make it even more attractive to visitors
“This is a destination for visitors to our city in it’s own right,” he said.
“This is a little addition to the park and will make sure visitors have a good experience because we want people to remember Worcester as a great place to visit.”
Building work is expected to begin in October and be complete in time for next spring.
