Christchurch Splash Park

Positive response for Christchurch splash park.

A bid has been submitted to the BIG Lottery for money for a modern splash park to replace the paddling pool, which has been a feature of the Quomps in Christchurch since the 1940s, but is now showing signs of age

Organisers of the bid have set up the email address quomps@hotmail.co.uk and are inviting the public to email their support before the outcome is know in October.

So far the public response to the proposal has been resoundingly positive.

Adrian Dwyer, spokesman for the organising group, said: “The community group got together because we thought it was important for Christchurch to have a free outdoor water play feature, but I’ve been completely taken aback by the strength of feeling.  We have received a huge response, some with quite touching stories, all 100 per cent in support of the proposed Christchurch Quay Splash Park project.”

One such message of support came from Les Denmead who said: “Having seen the artist’s impression of the proposed “Splash park”, I can only say that I consider it not only a substitute for the present paddling pool, but a splendid improvement on it. Water features are always therapeutic, especially to us senior citizens who also get a great deal of pleasure out of seeing the “kids” enjoying themselves.”

Adrian added: “Developing the much-loved 1940’s concept in order to meet the requirements and demands of the 21st Century has been a challenge, but we believe we’ve come up with a grant-winning proposal that takes as its inspiration the concept of two rivers coming together to form a pool of water and embraces features that are synonymous with Christchurch, such as the Bailey Bridge and Tuttons Well. 

“A key objective is to ensure the widest possible accessibility for the community, for the splash park to be a place where time is pleasant 365 days per year and I’m looking forward to seeing children use the Archimedes screw and waterwheel and learning that energy can be derived from water.”

Exploiting the power of the Internet, the organising team has created the Christchurch Quay Splash Park group on Facebook.com, the social networking website.  “In its first days of going live, almost 100 people have signed up as members of the Christchurch Quay Splash Park group,” said Adrian, “and we’re confident we’ll soon have over 500 members.”

Sally Derham Wilkes, chairman of Christchurch Council’s Community Services Committee said: “We are wholeheartedly behind this project, and the Council has agreed to put £100,000 towards the total cost.”