Vandals cause Hilsea splash pool to be closed

Blocked filters and damage to the public toilets saw Portsmouth City Council close Hilsea splash pool, next to the lido, yesterday.

On bank holiday Monday, the splash pool filters were blocked and fittings in the on-site toilets were damaged.

It meant families could not enjoy the play area as temperatures reached 20 degrees Centigrade.

They were instead advised to visit the splash pool in Southsea and the splash pad at Canoe Lake.

David Evans, Portsmouth City Council’s leisure and sports facilities manager, hoped this was an isolated event.

He said: ‘We were very sad to discover Hilsea splash pool had been vandalised and that the community has been unable to use this family facility for part of half-term.

‘Hopefully this was an isolated incident as usually all of our visitors are very responsible.’

Hilsea splash pool opened a few days ago and should remain open daily between 11am and 6pm until September 1.

Throughout the summer, hundreds of families are expected to visit the splash pool.

Posting on The News’ Facebook page, Debbie Cheesmond called the people behind the damage ‘mindless vandals’, while Chris Arnold wrote: ‘Hopefully they had some CCTV nearby and caught the people that did this on camera.’

A council spokesman said Hilsea splash pool should be open today, weather permitting.

As previously reported in The News, the splash pool had to be closed last summer after claims that nappies flushed down the toilets caused problems.

It was closed for a day while maintenance workers from the council inspected and cleaned the area.

Parents had said the problem with the toilets had contaminated the water, but it was not confirmed by the council.

Families enjoying half-term this week instead descended on Southsea to soak up the warm weather.

According to the Met Office, the sun should be shining for the rest of the week with temperatures up to 17 degrees Centigrade today and 20 degrees Centigrade tomorrow.

The weekend will be overcast and a little cooler with highs of 15 degrees Centigrade.

For updates on the Hilsea splash pool visit Portsmouth City Council’s Facebook page at facebook.com/Portsmouthcitycouncil/