Seaside paddling pool shut for second time in a week: Donaghadee facility where water went green closed due to 'vandalism', two days after being cleared
A popular seaside paddling pool has been forced to close for the second time this week, as vandals reportedly struck two days after its mysterious ‘green water’ problem that may have left children sick was cleared.
As the News Letter revealed earlier this week, the open-air facility on the seafront at Donaghadee turned a sickly colour on Tuesday, the area council shutting it down while parents complained children had taken ill after going into it.
By the following morning the water was back to its usual sparkling after the pool was drained, cleaned and refilled – but on Friday morning the council announced it was closed again, this time blaming vandalism.
A photo posted on social media by Ards and North Down Council appeared to show a chunk had been taken out of the surface of the paddling pool, leaving it looking sharply cracked and broken.
Stated the council: “The facility will remain closed while the damage is assessed and necessary repairs are completed. We apologise for any inconvenience and thank you for your patience and understanding.”
On Wednesday afternoon, officials told the News Letter they were still in the dark about what actually happened to cause the green water incident that first shut the pool down.
“It’s not possible to be sure what caused the water discolouration,” said a council spokeswoman, adding that there did not appear to be “any obvious bloom material” that could indicate blue-green algae. She added it would be emptied and cleaned at least twice a week in the current warm spell.
Area deputy mayor James Cochrane encouraged anyone who went in the water and felt unwell to seek medical advice.