THE leader of Conwy County Borough Council has provided an update following 'anti-slip' preparatory works at four paddling pools across the county.
Earlier this month, the Pioneer reported that Conwy County Borough Council had secured a contractor to undertake the "necessary work" at paddling pools in Craig y Don, Llanfairfechan, Penmaenmawr and Rhos on Sea.
Cllr Charlie McCoubrey has now given this update.
Craig y Don Paddling Pool
Cllr McCoubrey said: "Craig y Don is the largest paddling pool and operatives are currently on site removing the old coating / paint, as well as installing new expansion joint material where defective. Once this work is complete the new coatings will be applied.
"There is also the Dŵr Cymru / Welsh Water related works to be completed here, to protect the mains water supply. We also have minor walkway repairs to the steps down into the paddling pool to complete, because the original concrete has deteriorated in some of these areas and cannot have the non-slip coating in its present condition."
Rhos on Sea Paddling Pool
Cllr McCoubrey said: "At Rhos-on-Sea, the Structural Engineer we’ve commissioned is working on the new slab detail for us, due to penetrating ground water issues, which would affect the new non-slip coatings. Once the slab design is approved, we can start work.
"Again, I’m hoping we can share the non-slip coatings work with the Craig y Don site, but it is dependent on completing the new concrete slab and being sufficiently cured in time."
Llanfairfechan Paddling Pool.
Cllr McCoubrey said: "There was a meeting last week to discuss a change to the steps at the Llanfairfechan paddling pool and prepare for the new concrete walkways. The work will be starting in the next few days, with curing over the next week. Once this is ready, we can programme the non-slip coatings application.
"We have requested weekly updates from the contractor."
Penmaenmawr Paddling Pool
Cllr McCoubrey said: "At Penmaenmawr, we’ve received confirmation that the original mosaic tiling on the paddling pool floors and sides has to be removed for the new non-slip coating to be applied. Work hasn’t started on this site as yet, the contractors will move their teams around, once Llanfairfechan becomes ready for the coatings.
"Penmaenmawr and Llanfairfechan will have the non-slip coating applied as a one-site process to reduce costs as far as possible."
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The local authority came under fire in April after saying it would not be re-opening the four pools as normal this May and for claiming the "only UK provider" was unable to carry out work [to apply a specialist anti-slip coating to surfaces] due to sudden ill health.
The local authority made the decision not to open its pools following a full safety audit of all sites. Some areas were deemed as "a high slip risk".
Public outcry and criticism from politicians – including Clwyd West MS Darren Millar who called on the council to “get its act together” – resulted in the authority hastily securing a new contractor.
A spokesperson from Conwy County Borough Council said that once the work above has been completed, they will assess the sites and publicise opening dates.
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