Thieves have struck at one of Swansea’s most popular free family attractions just days before its summer opening, stealing the distinctive sprinklers from Blackpill Lido and forcing a delay that will disappoint thousands of families planning a bank holiday visit.
The sprinklers – which help keep visitors cool in the sunshine during the lido’s busy summer season – were taken from the site on Wednesday. Police have been informed and CCTV footage is being checked to help identify those responsible.
The lido had been due to open for the summer on Saturday 2 May, with council staff spending the week carrying out checks and repairs in preparation. Instead, visitors arriving this weekend will find it closed, with the opening now pushed back by at least a week.
Tracey McNulty, Swansea Council’s Head of Cultural Services, Parks and Cleansing, said the council was working urgently to find a solution. “We’re disappointed and upset that this has happened and we’d like to thank everyone for their patience and understanding while we organise a fix that will allow us to open the lido safely as soon as possible,” she said.
She urged anyone with information to come forward. “The sprinklers were stolen from the site on Wednesday, and we’d urge anyone who might be able to help recover them to contact the police. We’re checking CCTV footage to see if they can help us identify the thieves,” she said.
She added that the sprinklers were distinctive and would have been difficult to remove unnoticed. “The sprinklers are distinctive and the two larger ones are quite heavy. They would have had to be lifted into a van or larger vehicle so it’s quite possible that someone would have seen it happening.”
Council teams are now working to create a temporary fix for the holes left where the sprinklers should be, so the lido can be used safely once the repair is complete. Once that work is finished, it will take a further three days to fill the pool area – meaning an opening date of at least a week away.
McNulty said the council remained committed to getting the lido open as quickly as possible. “Blackpill Lido is a fantastic free family destination, and we are doing all we can to resolve the issues and get the lido open. Although we are organising a temporary fix, we’re committed to replacing the sprinklers as soon as we can.”
Blackpill Lido sits on the seafront at Blackpill on the edge of Swansea Bay, and is one of the city’s most-loved free outdoor spaces during the summer months. The wide shallow pool is particularly popular with young children and their families during warm weather, and forms part of a wider package of free waterfront attractions in the bay area.
The theft comes as the council has been investing significantly in the bay area, with ambitious plans including padel courts, a zip wire and a year-round lido among proposals being considered for the future of Swansea Bay.
South Wales Police is investigating the theft. Anyone who may have seen something suspicious at the site on Wednesday, or who has any information about the whereabouts of the sprinklers, is asked to contact South Wales Police by calling 101, or to report anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
