Repair work needed at splash park, as likely reopening date is announced

Leighton-Linslade Town Council has agreed to spend around £22,000 to make repairs to the splash park at Parson’s Close Recreation Ground, which first opened in April 2011.

During the close season a number of issues have been identified which will now be addressed ahead of the 455sq metre facility’s relaunch for the summer.

Problems include the intermittent loss of pressure that had effected the May Pole, probably caused by a valve damaged by the sand and rubber in the system.

An assortment of diaphragms have also been damaged or worn due to sand.

The rubber surfacing of the park is also to be replaced in its entirety, preferable to multiple repair patches.

Ian Haynes, the council’s Head of Grounds and Environmental Services has pointed out that the surface colouring had faded.

He said: “The current design is quite complicated and comprises a layer highly susceptible to Ultra Violet degradation. This is where the synthetic polymers are attacked by UV radiation, meaning that the colour will fade over time and will break down the surfacing.

“Discolouration effects the resin which glues the EPDM granules together. The discoloration and effects of the UV rays will happen with all colours. However, the visual extent may not be as noticeable in different colours.”

He said the pigments used in producing brighter colours were not as strong or as UV stable as the pigments used in producing darker shades.

“For this reason, it is industry standard to use colours with a deeper, darker and stronger pigment,” he said.

“Therefore, it is the officers recommendation that the surfacing is replaced with a 50:50 of two colours to give a speckled effect.”

The council’s Grounds and Environmental Services Committee has now endorsed the spending of up to £22,000 on the maintenance work.

Mr Haynes told the LBO: “The resurfacing was approved and has been scheduled with our contractor to be complete in the next few weeks. The re-commission works have been scheduled to be undertaken on Wednesday, May 3.

“Therefore, I see no reason why the splash pad wouldn’t be up and running by Wednesday, May 17.”