Paddling Pools in Heavitree close for the season

Published: 15 September 2021

Paddling pools at Heavitree Pleasure Ground in Exeter will not now reopen this year, the City Council has revealed. Water play facilities at the Splashpad in St Thomas, however, are still open.

The Council was forced to shut the Heavitree paddling pools recently after the pumps broke down.

Parts were ordered but the Council is still waiting for them to arrive. However, because the facility is due to close next week, it has been decided not to install the new pumps because they would suffer wear and tear over the winter months.

Instead the pumps will be installed next Spring, prior to them reopening for Summer 2022.

The City Council apologised for any inconvenience and said that families could instead enjoy the Splash Pad at St Thomas Pleasure Ground until its seasonal closure on Friday 24 September.

Earlier this year the City Council announced that the paddling pools and play facilities at Heavitree are set to get an exciting new make-over at the end of 2022.

The popular pools are nearing the end of their life and in desperate need of refurbishment.

The City Council has started a public consultation to ask people what they want from their park and there will be an information stand in the park on Saturday (18 September).

The plan is to keep the pools open throughout next summer and start construction in the Autumn of 2022, minimising disruption. All going well, the new water play facilities and play areas will be ready to reopen in May 2023.

Resurfacing work at the Splash Pad in St Thomas will be carried out over the winter months prior to re-opening next year.