ONE OF Worcester’s most popular family attractions is about to undergo a major refurbishment to ensure it’s back up and running for the summer.
The Splashpad in Gheluvelt Park is a free water-based play facility that attracts thousands of children and their parents every year, but it has been out of action on multiple occasions in recent times.
Last year it was closed for maintenance for 14 days in total.
Worcester City Council is now investing £366,000 in a new water filtration system and safety surface to get the Splashpad back in action and in a reliable condition for summer 2025.
Work is set to start on Monday March 3, and will see the installation of new pumps and a water holding tank in the warden’s depot next to the Splashpad.
The old equipment is underground, so having the replacements at ground level will make future maintenance easier.
The refurbishment will also include a colourful new safety surface at the actual Spalshpad play area which, at 12 millimeters, will be twice as thick as the old one.
Several individual water features – such as foot-activated jets – that are not currently working will also be repaired.
The refurbishment will be completed in time for the Splashpad to open for the summer season as scheduled on May 24.
Coun Lynn Denham, Worcester City Council leader said: “The Splashpad is hugely popular with families, both within Worcester and beyond, so I am delighted that this major refurbishment will be completed in time for the summer opening.
“It’s no surprise that a 15-year-old play facility needs an upgrade and this investment will ensure that children and their parents and carers can come along to Gheluvelt Park over the summer and find that the Splashpad is working and providing all the fun and entertainment that they are hoping for.
“At Worcester City Council we have an ongoing programme of investing in improvements to play areas and equipment across our city. The Splashpad is one of the most important and that was shown by the fact that this significant investment in it has received cross-party support.”
Temporary fencing will be in place around the Splashpad while the refurbishment takes place. A small amount of grass will be dug up as part of the work, but this will be reinstated before the Splashpad opens.
The permanent railings around the Splashpad will remain in place when it reopens.
The Splashpad will be open as normal this year, at 11am until 4pm from May 24 to July 18 and then at 11am to 6pm from July 19 to September 1.
