MenuPlans are coming together to improve the paddling pool area in Amble.
At a meeting of the Town Council held 12th February, Members agreed unanimously to contribute £20,000 towards the improvements project through ring fenced funds that have been built up over the years for this purpose.
Working in partnership, Amble Town Council and Northumberland County Council have been researching and planning improvements such as a water play feature with pumps, sluice gates and channels.
The project has already secured considerable amounts of funding; with £20,000 from Northumberland County Council’s section 106 funds and £30,000 from the Small Schemes allowances of Councillor Robert Arckless and Councillor Jeff Watson. The Town Council’s contribution is a welcome addition with funds set to be matched by Northumberland County Council from its parks and green spaces capital projects programme.
Amble Town Council carried out a lot of community consultation in 2014, which showed that there was a desire to retain a water play feature at the site, as well as to include more activities for families including outdoor table tennis, outdoor gym equipment and more play equipment. The paddling pools are beyond repair and are not a practical or sustainable option for long term future maintenance and operation.
Cllr Ian Swithenbank, policy board member responsible for streetcare and environment at Northumberland County Council said: “It is great to see the plans coming together for this area in Amble. The council is pleased to be able to help to fund these important improvements, which we hope will be enjoyed by residents and visitors alike.”
As well as the new water feature, the paddling pool area will be landscaped, footpaths and entrances improved, and outdoor table tennis and gym equipment installed. Tenders will be invited for the work in the next few weeks.
Craig Weir, Mayor of Amble, said that he was ”‘very pleased that the hard work carried out in the past year by the Town Council, and in partnership with Northumberland County Council has reached this stage. The proposed work on a new look park and play area will be an asset to Amble and bring great pleasure to all who use it in the future”’.