Kings Road Paddling Pool to reopen for a summer of fun

Families will soon be able to enjoy making a splash at Kings Road Paddling Pool after it was repaired in time for the summer holidays.

The popular seafront pool, which is just a stone’s throw from the West Pier and sits alongside the neighbouring Kings Road playground, had looked likely to remain closed throughout the school holidays.

This was because urgent repairs were needed to make it safe and planned work on the nearby A259 arches would have heavily impacted the site.

However, aware of how well-used the pool is by local families and with the A259 arches work now planned for later in the year to minimise disruption during the busy summer period, councillors green-lit the repairs necessary to open the pool for the summer season.

Keen to keep it open during the busy summer months

The pool is approaching the end of its usable lifespan and will need further work once the A259 arches project is completed.

But councillors wanted to ensure families still had access to the free facility over the summer months – particularly the school holidays when it has historically been at its busiest.

The repair work is complete and the pool has been refilled.

The pool will re-open on 1 July, once Freedom Leisure staff have had time to make sure chlorine levels have the reached the recommended balance and the water is safe to play in.

Important free resource for families to enjoy

Councillor Alan Robins, Cabinet member for Sports, Recreation and Libraries, recently visited the site to check on its progress alongside Councillor Trevor Muten, Cabinet member for Transport and City Infrastructure.

Councillor Robins said: “We know how popular this paddling pool is and how important it is for families.

“Our paddling pools are a fantastic resource and provide somewhere free where families can spend the day, make lifelong memories and, hopefully, enjoy the good weather this summer.”

Working alongside Freedom Leisure

Councillor Muten added: “I’m delighted that working alongside our contractor Freedom Leisure we have been able to repair the pool. Long term, we will consult with residents about exactly what they would like on the site once the A259 arches work is complete, but for now I’m just pleased families will be able to enjoy visiting the site again.”

The city’s other paddling pools in Saunders Park and Hove Lagoon, and the water feature at The Level, are all currently open to enjoy.