News

Major work begins on redevelopment of Victoria Embankment paddling pool

By Jasmine Thomas-Alie

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The first significant works have begun on the redevelopment of Nottingham’s historic Victoria Embankment paddling pool.

First built in 1928, the pool has been out of use since it developed a leak during the pandemic in 2021.

Nottingham City Council has now started the main redevelopment of the site to bring it back into use in 2025.

A brand new paddling pool, splash pad and new pumping system is planned for the site, alongside water jets.

The council has serious financial problems but is able to fund it through £750,000 via contributions from property developers, a Government grant and a successful National Lottery Heritage Fund application.

As work progressed on Monday, the first day of the school summer holidays, people living nearby welcomed the redesign.

Teacher, Claire Slaviero, 41 said: “I am very excited. We have three children so we will be
able to come and use it quite a lot.

“We did go to a similar one in Derby, there is another lido there, but Victoria
Embankment is much more convenient as we just live round the corner.”

Joshua Daniels, 30, said: “I think it will be great for our family, people like my nephew. It
will be good facilities for him and a lot of other kids local, even from the outskirts of
Nottingham.

“It will bring more people into the local area. It will be a unique thing that Nottingham
has compared to other places.”

Younger Nottingham visitors have expressed their excitement over the new opening.

Jacob Slaviero, nine, said: “I am excited about paddling in the paddling pool and
splashing with everybody.

“Everybody should come in 2025.”

Councillor Sam Lux, Portfolio Holder for Leisure, Culture and Carbon Reduction at
Nottingham City Council said: “Following the successful use of lottery funding to
restore the Victoria Embankment Memorial Gardens, I am delighted to see further
investment into the area with the restoration of the paddling pool.

“Victoria Embankment has been an asset to Nottingham for nearly 100 years so this is
great news for local residents and the city in general.”

The council says the restored water attraction is expected to be open in Spring 2025.