THE borough council is hoping to re-open Basingstoke’s splash pad in time for the half-term holidays, after it was shut down for ‘essential maintenance’.

As previously reported, Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council announced that the splash pad, at Chineham Park, in Popley, would reopen on Friday, April 28 after being shut for the winter.

But less than three weeks later the council announced that it had to close the facility for ‘essential maintenance’, just as the weather started to warm up.

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Frustrated families hit out at the council for closing the splash pad ahead of a warm spell over the weekend and for giving no notice of the closure.

The borough council said it is hoping to re-open the attraction “as soon as possible”, adding: “Especially as good weather is forecast and it is half term next week”.

The council said prior to the splash pad reopening each year it is inspected, cleaned and tested.

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It said: “Fresh water is used in the splash pad and the storage tank is drained and refilled every day. During the summer months the pad is checked and cleaned every day and the water is regularly tested.

“Unfortunately, the recent water quality test result was not satisfactory and therefore the splash pad was closed while we undertook a deep clean. This work has now been completed and the water has been retested.

“The water quality results are due back on Friday and, as long as they are satisfactory, we will be able to reopen the splash pad during the school half-term.”