Splash World has finally been given an estimated reopening date.
Sefton Council has confirmed that Splashworld in Southport is set to reopen this autumn despite the council hoping to have it open during the summer. It was confirmed that work on the currently closed waterpark would cost an additional £270,000 earlier this month with the leisure centre and swimming baths initially closing in December 2019 for refurbishment.
Now, more than two years later, it's expected to reopen in October after more essential work on the flume tower, the flooring and the foliage will be completed. Sefton Council also confirmed that there had been false media coverage surrounding the attraction, with some outlets claiming it would reopen in August.
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A Sefton Council spokesperson said: "Splash World in Southport has taken an exciting step closer to reopening after Sefton Council’s Cabinet today approved an additional £270,000 towards essential repair works. The popular all-weather indoor water park, which normally welcomes thousands of families from across the North West of England each year, is on course to reopen later this year, with a provisional target date of October.
"Splash World was temporarily closed in December 2019 in order for the building to undergo essential maintenance and refurbishment works. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic’s huge impact on the construction sector, these works were set back.
"Nevertheless during this time Sefton Council utilised the Splash World building to create a specialist SMART testing unit for COVID-19, with the centre playing a pivotal role in keeping thousands of residents and key workers safe from potential infection. Works resumed in Summer 2021 and are continuing on schedule, with teams working hard towards a provisional target of reopening Splash World in October."
Cllr Ian Maher, Leader of Sefton Council, said: “Today (Thursday, June 23rd) Cabinet approved an additional £270,000 towards the completion of these essential works and I am delighted that we are getting closer to welcoming everyone back to Splash World.
“I would like to take this opportunity to place on record my thanks to our various teams and contractors, who have been working extremely hard to ensure these essential maintenance works have been carried out efficiently and effectively, so that we can all once again don our swimming trunks and enjoy this wonderful all-weather facility.
“I’d also like to thank all of our Dunes Leisure Centre users who have remained patient and understanding while potentially noisy works have been carried out adjacent to where they exercise.”
The allocation of £270,000 is subject to approval at the next meeting of full council. A confirmed reopening date is expected in due course.
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