**Families Disappointed as Pencoedtre Park Splashpad Temporarily Closes for Repairs Amid School Holidays**
Parents and children hoping to kick off the summer holidays with a splash are facing disappointment this week, as the much-loved splashpad in Barry’s Pencoedtre Park has been closed just days after the beginning of the school summer break. The Vale of Glamorgan Council made the announcement on Wednesday, citing essential maintenance as the reason behind the three-day closure, which is due to last from 23rd to 25th July.
This temporary closure has left many local families scrambling for alternative activities, as the timing clashes with the eagerly anticipated start to the school summer holidays across Wales. The council has acknowledged the inconvenience caused, admitting that having repair work coincide with the school break was less than ideal. “We know the timing’s not ideal, but after a busy couple of months (and some amazing weather!), it’s in need of a bit of TLC!” a spokesperson for the council shared in an online announcement.
Routine maintenance is a necessity for facilities that provide water-based fun, as intricate and specialist equipment must be regularly checked and repaired to ensure safety and functionality. Council representatives explained, “Like all splash pads, it runs on specialist kit that needs regular care to keep everything running safely, and like all councils with splash pads, we rely on the experts to do that.” Repairs are expected to be completed in time for the park to reopen over the weekend, although the council has not committed to a definite date.
The closure follows hot on the heels of a similar situation in Cardiff, where the Victoria Park splashpad was also forced to shut temporarily for maintenance work, having already experienced a delayed opening for the summer season. Such recurring issues exemplify the challenges faced by local authorities in balancing long-term facility upkeep with high public demand, especially during peak usage periods.
Pencoedtre Park’s splashpad, a feature introduced in 2012 following a substantial £200,000 investment, has become a focal point for families in Barry each summer. The conversion from a traditional paddling pool to a modern splashpad reflected both changing recreational trends and the desire to offer accessible, safe water play for children. Alongside the splashpad, the park also boasts a skateboard area, a toddler play section, and multipurpose courts for basketball and five-a-side games, making it a popular destination for all ages.
Elsewhere in Wales, families have been hit with further disruptions to local leisure facilities. Both swimming pools at Bronwydd Swimming Pool in Porth, Rhondda, were unexpectedly closed earlier this week due to safety concerns after a structural issue was discovered in the roof above the pool. Following inspection by contractors, the main pool has since reopened, though the baby pool remains shut until further notice while additional remedial work is carried out.
The recent spate of closures across South Wales highlights the ongoing struggle that councils face in keeping community amenities both safe and available throughout the year. During periods of intense public demand such as the summer holidays, the impact of even short-term closures can be widely felt among families seeking affordable and active ways to occupy children.
Council officials have offered assurances that every effort is being made to expedite repairs and safely restore access to these valued local resources. Residents have been thanked for their patience and understanding, with promises to update the community as soon as the splashpad is ready to reopen.
Looking to the future, some local voices, including parents and community leaders, have suggested that greater consideration be given to scheduling maintenance outside of school holidays, to minimize disruption. While periodic closures for upgrades and safety checks are unavoidable in public amenities of this nature, improved planning and transparency could help to reduce frustration and maintain public trust.
In the meantime, families are encouraged to keep an eye on local council updates for the latest information regarding reopening, and to make the most of the other attractions on offer in parks throughout the Vale of Glamorgan and beyond.