Seaside paddling pool at Gorleston set for revival under £400,000 scheme
Flashback to the paddling pool's heyday. Photo: Archant library
While the revival of interest in outdoor pools came too late for Gorleston’s much-loved lido the paddling pool on the lower prom could be in for a makeover.
The paddling pool pictured in 2005. Photo: Archant - Credit: Archant © 2005
Some £400,000 has been set aside in the borough council’s budget to refurbish - or possibly totally replace the pool - with something “more modern.”
Council leader Graham Plant said the pool, next to the yacht pond, had worked briefly last summer but problems had been discovered with the pumping mechanism which meant it had to shut.
Standing water in the sunshine could hold all sorts of health risks he said, and rather than spend money fixing it there was talk of putting in something new, maybe with fountains.
Officers, he said, were scoping out other options and would report back with their findings.
The beach huts which were demolished in 2008. Photo: Archant - Credit: Archant © 2005
It could be that not all the money was spent, but it was there if it was needed, he added.
MORE: You wont be able to spend a penny here anymore as council looks to save £8,750Local historian Dennis Durrant said he thought the paddling pool dated from the 1960s or early 1970s and was added to the seaside scene at the same time as the brick-built beach huts which were knocked down in 2008.
Meanwhile council papers outlining its financial situation also highlight some other schemes aimed at generating income in the long term.
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A figure of £60,000 is being suggested for a tea rooms at the Gorleston crematorium and a flower stall at the Magdalen cemetery.
The beachhuts which were demolished in 2008. Photo: Archant - Credit: Archant © 2005
Other projects include playground refurbishments, £100,000 for a skatepark at Cobholm, repairs to the cemetery wall in Yarmouth and the cost of new beach huts for Gorleston which are tipped to generate £53,000 over four years.
MORE: Council stamps down on first class deliveries to save moneyMr Plant said things were looking good for the coming year with a balanced budget, but warned of lean times ahead.
The council had achieved a £13,000 underspend which will be put into general reserves.
Frontline services had been unaffected, he said, but it was over the next two to three years that belts would need to be tightened.
Over the years the budget had reduced considerably to just £11.5m.
“Next year its not so bad, it’s the years after. We are confident we have a balanced budget,” he added.
The full council meets on February 20 to agree the budget.
