£250k lido revamp finally finishes at Walsall Arboretum
The new-look Walsall Arboretum lido will open for the first time tomorrow following a £250,000 revamp and months of delays.
The water play feature replaces the original lido, which dates back 60 years.
Work got under way last autumn after a series of hold-ups and there were initial delays last year as certain parts of the project needed to go back out to tender. Bosses then made the decision not to carry out the work over the busy summer months.
The feature was initially expected to be ready ahead of the summer holidays last year but was delayed, with council bosses saying they wanted to minimise disruption during the school break.
The new splash pad and water play feature will be open at Walsall Arboretum from 11am until 5pm tomorrow and Sunday and during half-term up until June 2.
The feature will open at weekends only between June 8 and July 21.
Water features at King George V Playing Fields in Bloxwich and the Green Flag Award-winning Willenhall Memorial Park will also be switched on this weekend and throughout next week from 10am to 4pm.
They will then open on weekends only from June 2 to July 21.
Councillor Anthony Harris, Walsall Council's portfolio holder for leisure and culture, said: "This weekend sees the fun start at our parks when the water features are switched on for all to enjoy.
"We're delighted with the new water play feature at our premier park, Walsall Arboretum. In King George V Playing Fields and Willenhall Memorial Park visitors have already been used to having a whale of a time and this weekend those features will also be switched on. They will also be open through the six weeks' summer holidays."
The lido has been used by families since 1953. In 1994 it was developed into a treasure island-style attraction. A £7.6 million restoration is taking place at the arboretum.
