COUNCIL chiefs have voted to permanently close the St George’s Park paddling pool after it was decided it wasn’t financially viable to keep it open.
At a meeting last week, Kidderminster Town Council voted to close the paddling pool, which had been mothballed since 2022 on health and safety grounds.
But councillors are hopeful a splashpad might be introduced in its place in the future.
At a full council meeting in January, members agreed that it would aim to re-open the paddling pool for summer 2026.
However, councillors have now agreed that refurbishing, upgrading, and managing an outdoor paddling pool presents ‘significant challenges’ for the authority and that the project would not be the best value for money for residents.
The council received provisional quotations for both the refurbishment and upgrade of the paddling pool.
One firm quoted a cost of between £313,000 and £340,000 for the pool’s refurbishment and upgrade costs.
The mayor of Kidderminster, Coun Doug Hine, said: “Unfortunately, while everyone would like to see a paddling pool open for the children of Kidderminster on the eastern side of town, the costs to repair and run it have been found to be too high. Over three years, the Council has sought grant funding for it, but no source has been forthcoming.
“The Council has also tried to work with the residents’ groups, but they have not been successful in getting sufficient support to partner with the Council in running the Pool.
“A splash pad in St George’s Park could be looked at in the future. This would be cheaper than a pool and is still a useful play area in colder months when the water is turned off.”
Coun John Buckingham, the chair of the council’s operational services committee, said he was sad and frustrated but, given the authority’s current financial situation, it wasn’t viable to keep the pool open.
He added: “I’m really disappointed to say that this evening the Council voted to close the paddling pool.
“Every possible funding option was explored, and we also reached out to see if any external groups or organisations could take it on, but unfortunately, none were able to.
“I know how much the paddling pool means to local families and the community, and I share the frustration and sadness this decision will bring.
“There is, however, the possibility of looking at a splash pad in its place in the future, should finances allow.
“It’s never easy when financial pressures force decisions like this. I hope we can create something positive from this in the future.”
