It is never easy to be a local council, constantly looking out for the best interests of your residents even if it isn’t a popular thing to do. That is the position that Guildford Borough Council found itself in around the paddling pool in Stoke Park, which had been closed for safety reasons and its reopening was constantly being delayed for various reasons. Now the news has been confirmed that it has definitely reopened, allowing parents to see their youngsters using it without putting them at any risk, other than those you would normally associate with water in general.
What Happened
As we wrote about a couple of weeks ago, the paddling pool at Stoke Park in Guildford was closed earlier this year for resurfacing. The initial plan was for it to reopen by the first bank holiday in May of this year, which would have allowed young people to use it during their school holidays. Issues with the resurfacing meant that it didn’t reopen for the bank holiday weekend, which was seen as a real issue by parents and those with young children under their care. That was thanks to a safety issue with the water in the pool, meaning that it was still inaccessible for safety reasons.
Whilst frustrating, most people understood that the safety of the people using it was of paramount importance. It also wasn’t the first time that the lake had been closed for a prolonged period of time, so many in Guildford had grown used to it being tantalisingly close but not available for their use. Given that the Stoke Park tourist trap was first opened back in 1935 as part of the celebrations for King George V’s Silver Jubilee, it is hardly surprising that many consider it to be a mainstay in the lives of the young people that enjoy using it. Thankfully, the wait for it to reopen is now over.
The Pool’s Reopening
Parents can celebrate the fact that the paddling pool in Stoke Park, which is much-loved by many, has reopened in time for the summer holidays. Given the fact that we have already endured some incredibly hot days this year, thanks to the increase in the effects of global warming, the idea of being able to get your little ones cooled down by using a paddling pool will appeal to many. On the 24th of June, Guildford Borough Council released an update saying that there were issues with the water, largely around the chlorine levels being too high, which has now been brought under control.
It was on the 18th of July that the fences that blocked people off from using the pool were removed, meaning that families were able to gain access to the paddling area. There may well have been some that were initially reluctant to head into the water, but once the first few families that had used it emerged without any adverse effects, it was clear that the water levels were safe and that the paddling pool could once again be used. As a result, families began to swarm into the water in the days that followed, cooling down in the hot summer weather that we’ve all been enjoying.
Look Out for Inclement Weather
Whilst everyone will be delighted at the reopening of the paddling pool, it doesn’t mean that it should be used with gay abandon. Instead, the Guildford Borough Council spokesperson who confirmed the water was safe was quick to tell people to keep an eye on what the weather is doing. Although the summer is a time when we can all look forward to blue skies and sunshine, it also means that there is an increased risk of thunderstorms. The reality is that thunderstorms often also include lightning, which can be a danger to people that find themselves in water when they’re happening.
As a result, the Council has suggested that the pool could be temporarily closed from time to time. The Council’s spokesperson said, “We want to avoid a situation where families travel to Stoke Park expecting the pool to be open, only to be disappointed by a weather-related closure. We’ll announce a formal opening date next week once the forecast is more settled and we can be confident the pool will remain open.” Add into the fact that torrential rain is also a possibility when a thunderstorm is coming and you can see why the Council has concerns around the inclement weather.
Good News for Parents
The reality of the matter is that parents and minders of young people are often looking around for something to do with their little ones when they are out of school or nursery. Often, this will include coming up with some way to get them to run around, on account of the fact that this can get some energy off them, which is much-needed. The problem when it’s hot is that it is a lot harder to be able to come up with things to do that will keep them safe, especially when the sun is shining and you also have to worry about them getting sunburnt, which is obviously a major issue.
That is why the paddling pool at Stoke Park being closed at this time of year has been such a major issue for many. If the problems were being experienced in December or January, for example, no one would have even minded. The likelihood of more good weather coming along over the next few weeks means that people will be wanting to get out and keep their youngsters nice and chilled, which the reopening of the paddling pool will allow. The timing, then, is perfect, accepting that it would’ve been better to have opened the area up on the originally planned date.