When paddling pools will reopen across Conwy - 2025

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'SLIP testing' is taking place at paddling pools across Conwy ahead of their reopening. 

The paddling pools at Craig y Don, Rhos on Sea, Penmaemawr and Llanfairfechan are scheduled to be open for the first weekend in May. 

This is the first time in three years that all four paddling pools are re-opening in May.

The paddling pools infamously closed in 2023 due to a "high risk of people slipping."

A spokesperson from Conwy County Borough Council said: "Currently, preparations are taking place to make sure the pools are ready for use. This includes slip testing, cleaning, filling, and pump and filter testing. This process takes a couple of weeks to complete.

Craig y Don paddling pool is set to reopen in MayCraig y Don paddling pool is set to reopen in May (Image: Suzanne Kendrick / Newsquest) "Access to the pools remains free of charge."

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In April 2023, the local authority said the pools would be staying closed following a "full safety audit" and some sites being deemed a "high slip risk".

The decision was met with heavy criticism, especially by Darren Millar, MS for Clwyd West.

The council commented at the time that they had planned to carry out work to apply a "specialist anti-slip coating" to surfaces, but the "only UK provider and installer" was unable to carry out the work due to sudden ill health. 

The paddling pools in Llanfairfechan, Penmaenmawr and Rhos-on-Sea finally reopened to the public in May 2024 and the pool in Craig y Don re-opened in July 2024. 

More than £200,000 was spent on refurbishing Craig y Don paddling pool. Work included base slab repairs, replacement expansion joints, backflow mitigations, removal of finishes and a full 'non-slip' coating replacement. A further £26,000 was spent refurbishing the steps.

The majority of the refurbishment and step works were covered through external grants.

Coast Cafe Bar and Gift Shop, located at Craig-y-Don paddling pool, posted on social media on April 8: "Works are almost complete. The pool has been cleaned out and prepped.

"A normal season is finally, almost upon us."

They added: "It’s been a hard and long two years since opening our Llandudno Coast Cafe but all the work is nearly completed."

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