St Neots Splash Park: Council to vote on splash park funding

St Neots Town Councillors will consider St Neots Aquatic and Leisure's CIO (SNAL) £650,000 funding request tonight (July 25) at a full council meeting in the Priory Centre from 6.15pm.

SNAL has already received planning permission to build a splash park on the old swimming pool site on Huntingdon Road, which also includes plans to build a toilet block and cafe/kiosk in two separate phases spread across the next 4-5 years.

Artist impressions reveal what phase 1 of the splash park will look like if built. (Image: St Neots Aquatic and Leisure)

If funding is approved, the splash park could open as soon as next year and include around 50 water features and items for children to enjoy for £3 a two-hour session.

Speaking ahead of the open presentation on July 13, the chairman of SNAL, Mr Mick Marks, said: "We've got planning permission in place, we've got the tenders done, we're ready to issue a contract to build, and the design has been finalised.

"All I need is the money from the town council. I just need the money, there is nothing else." 

READ MORE: Splash Park: 'All I need is the money the town council promised six years ago.'

The funding request marks more than four years since the council previously approved and withdrew a £250,000 grant for a splash park in 2019.

The Finance and Governance Committee was asked to consider SNTC's position last Tuesday (July 18) and recommended if SNTC were to provide funding, conditions should be applied.

The conditions include that an agreement/lease between SNAL and Eat ‘N’ Bowl, who will manage the site, is in place, which resolves SNTC'S satisfaction so that it is assured of the long-term running of the splash park and its financial sustainability.

The second condition is that a legal funding agreement between SNTC and SNAL is to be in place and approved by the full council so that the council is confident the amount requested will deliver a splash park.