The opening of a replacement splash park at Swindon's Coate Water Country Park could be just around the corner. 

Swindon Borough Council announced the disappointing news that the outdoor facility had been delayed because the soft flooring for it which was coming from Spain had not arrived because it was being held in customs. 

But, photos taken recently show that not only has the flooring arrived, but construction workers helping to build the splash park have installed it at the site. 

After missing the start of the school holidays, the local authority's cabinet member in charge of the project, Marina Strinkovsky had previously promised that the £475,000 facility would definitely be open for families to use this summer.

And judging from the photos, which also show construction workers hard at work, that could well still happen. 

Concerns about the progress of the splash park were raised at a recent council meeting when Conservative Councillor Daniel Adams asked Cllr Strinkovsky: “Can you promise the children of Swindon the splash park will be open before the end of the summer holidays?”

She replied: “To reiterate the park will be open in the summertime during the summer.”

Work to replace the former splash park that sat at the site began in May. 

This followed reoccurring problems that would often see the venue out of use for disappointed families on hot days.

After further issues, the splash park was finally condemned in the summer of 2023 when Swindon Borough Council announced it wouldn't be reopening as it had reached the end of its life. 

Focus groups were carried out asking members of the public what they'd like to see in its place, and shortly after new designs were released for what the new facility would look like and include. 

The fully accessible splash park features a sloped design so wheelchair users can access the paddling pool as well as rumble strips, handrails and interactive elements located outside the main water feature.

At the time, Councillor Chris Watts, the cabinet member for the environment and transport, said: “I’m very happy to see work on the new splash park get underway.

“We knew the old offering was outdated and in need of significant repair so the best option was to demolish it and build a brand-new facility for the people of Swindon.

“This new area will be fully accessible and we want to get it open in time for the summer holidays so families can take full advantage of the, hopefully, nice weather.”