A POPULAR seaside paddling pool remained closed during a heat wave.
Rhyl’s Drift Park pool was shut this weekend after maintenance work, as temperatures in the resort soared to 26C, the hottest so far this year.
But the pool, run by Denbighshire Council, will not open until Friday, leaving scores of holidaymakers and day-trippers disappointed.
Grandmother Sian Clarke, 53, of Rhyl, said not opening the pool meant it was being “underused”.
She said: “Myself and my husband visited Rhyl promenade over the weekend.
“Holidaymakers and day-trippers were complaining the paddling pool was not open.
We went to the beach on Sunday and it was packed with families enjoying the beautiful weather on the beach.
“The sea was a distance out when we first got there and people had to walk young children a good way for a paddle.
Unfortunately, the tide was coming in, and a few people where almost caught on sandbanks.
“This probably wouldn’t have happened if the pool was open.
I like taking my grandchildren there, the sea is not always the safety place.”
The pool will open on Friday until September 1.
Mrs Clarke said: “This weather was forecast way ahead of time so there was time to be prepared.
The public don’t want to just use these facilities during the school holidays, but also on sunny weekends.
“We need to encourage as many people to come to Rhyl as we possibly can if it is to survive.”
Opening times for the pool are 11am to 4.30pm from June 1 to July when the schools break up for summer and 11am to 5.30pm from July through to September.
A spokesman for Denbigshire Council said: “Essential maintenance work was being undertaken to the pool last week ending on Friday, in readiness for the busy time of year.
“The pool surface and needed time to dry out.
“It is important to note however, that the weather dictates opening and staff can exercise a little flexibility if the weather is particularly good, they will sometimes allow the pool to remain open until 7.30pm close earlier if the weather is poor and no one is using it.
“The times are clearly displayed for patrons and they are also advised that weather permitting, the opening times may be altered.”