‘Significant challenges’ must be overcome before the former Ryde Splash Park can be brought back to life, the Isle of Wight Council has said, estimating a new facility could cost between £250,000 and £450,000.
Strength of feeling” acknowledged
A County Hall spokesperson said it recognises the ‘strength of feeling’ locally and is ‘not closed’ to reinstating a water-based facility, but the existing infrastructure ‘cannot simply be repaired’.
On Tuesday evening (12th May 2026), Ryde Town Council (RTC) voted to support a petition calling for the refurbishment and preservation of Ryde Splash Park, an appeal which has now garnered over 3,400 signatures.
A council spokesperson said,
“The Isle of Wight Council recognises the strength of feeling locally about the former Ryde Splash Park and the importance of the site to the community.
“We have been actively engaging with RTC, the Ryde Neighbourhood Board (RNB), and community representatives over the past year, and we remain open to discussing future options for the site.
“It is important to be clear that no decisions have been taken, and the council is not closed to the reinstatement of a water-based facility.
“However, there are significant challenges that must be addressed. The existing infrastructure is no longer operational and cannot simply be repaired.”
What a new facility would involve
The spokesperson said any new splash park would require full removal of the old system, new underground infrastructure, and a completely new installation.
They said that based on current industry estimates, the capital cost of delivering a new facility could be in the region of £250,000 to £450,000, depending on the final design, scale and specification of the scheme.
This would include demolition, groundworks, new pump and filtration systems, water play features, surfacing, landscaping and accessibility improvements.
Costs could exceed £1.25 million over facility’s lifetime
County Hall said these costs relate to construction only and there remains ‘no secured funding’ in place for either the capital build or the ongoing revenue costs for staffing, maintenance, utilities and lifecycle replacement required to operate a water-based facility ‘safely and sustainably’.
The local authority said that combined, this could be upward of £1.25 million over the design life of the facility and will be subject to the changing costs of water, materials and pay.
It described its position as ‘consistent’ and said any proposal must be supported by a fully costed and deliverable plan, with identified funding and a sustainable long-term operating model.
Next steps: funding and consultation
The spokesperson welcomed the ‘continued interest’ from RTC and the local community and said the council would encourage a ‘collaborative approach’ to securing funding, including through the RNB and other external opportunities.
They added that the next appropriate step is to identify funding sources and develop a funding proposal including ‘full and transparent consultation’ with the wider community, ensuring all residents have a voice in shaping the future of the public space.
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is taking part in. Some alterations and additions may have been made by OnTheWight. Ed
