Latest news with #MarinaStrinkovsky
Yahoo
a day ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Splash park to reopen following emergency repairs
A new splash park which had to close for emergency repairs shortly after it opened for the summer is due to welcome visitors again. Coate Water splash park in Swindon will reopen on Sunday after it closed earlier in the week following damage to floor tiles. The tiles became loose when the concrete underneath failed and needed to be re-secured. With the park under a year old and still under warranty, the works were carried out by the manufacturer at no cost to the council. The £475,000 facility reopened for the summer season at the end of last month. But earlier this week, signs appeared saying the park was closed "until further notice", leading to concerns that it would remain shut over the summer holidays. The splash park has had a troubled development, with the initial opening delayed to August 2024 following delivery issues. When open, the park is designed to be fully accessible and includes a paddling pool and various water features and games. Councillor Marina Strinkovsky, cabinet member for placemaking and planning, said she was surprised the park needed repairs so early in its lifespan. "I was very disappointed when the splash park closed at the start of the week, especially with it being such a new facility," she said. "The manufacturer worked quickly to make the repairs and get the splash park ready to reopen, but we need to make sure it doesn't happen again so I look forward to the off-season inspection and thorough report." "I look forward to seeing children and families enjoying the splash park once again", she added. Ms Strinkovsky also said that following public feedback, the 18-degree temperature limit for opening the park would be scrapped and a new policy would be introduced so that the park could open at different times of the year. Follow BBC Wiltshire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. Customs delay pushes back opening of £475k splash park Parents welcome opening of £475k splash park
BBC News
a day ago
- Climate
- BBC News
Splash park to reopen following emergency repairs
A new splash park which had to close for emergency repairs shortly after it opened for the summer is due to welcome visitors Water splash park in Swindon will reopen on Sunday after it closed earlier in the week following damage to floor tiles became loose when the concrete underneath failed and needed to be the park under a year old and still under warranty, the works were carried out by the manufacturer at no cost to the council. The £475,000 facility reopened for the summer season at the end of last earlier this week, signs appeared saying the park was closed "until further notice", leading to concerns that it would remain shut over the summer splash park has had a troubled development, with the initial opening delayed to August 2024 following delivery open, the park is designed to be fully accessible and includes a paddling pool and various water features and games. Councillor Marina Strinkovsky, cabinet member for placemaking and planning, said she was surprised the park needed repairs so early in its lifespan."I was very disappointed when the splash park closed at the start of the week, especially with it being such a new facility," she said."The manufacturer worked quickly to make the repairs and get the splash park ready to reopen, but we need to make sure it doesn't happen again so I look forward to the off-season inspection and thorough report.""I look forward to seeing children and families enjoying the splash park once again", she Strinkovsky also said that following public feedback, the 18-degree temperature limit for opening the park would be scrapped and a new policy would be introduced so that the park could open at different times of the year.
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Restored building that is part of Swindon's history up for a prestigious award
The restoration of Swindon's historic Carriage Works has been shortlisted in prestigious regional awards, showcasing excellence in the construction history. Local residents are being urged to vote in the public voting by Swindon Borough Council, helping the Carriage Works win. Unit 7B, which hosts the University of Bath and Oxford's Innovation Centre for Applied Sustainable Technologies (iCAST) facility, was nominated earlier this year in the Regeneration and Conservation category of the Construction Excellence South West (CESW) Awards. The icast unit, a joint endeavour between the two universities that supports private businesses with developing sustainable technologies, is part of a wider regeneration scheme at the Carriage Works site. A number of units have so far been renovated and occupied, including The Workshed, the Royal Agricultural University's Cultural Heritage Institute and Create Studios. Mirabelle Stobbs, Property Assets Officer at Swindon Borough Council, said: 'Working on the Carriage Works buildings to bring them into productive modern use is a pleasure and a privilege. 'The digital, tech and creative business community developing here is a great place to work and it is fantastic recognition that the Carriage Works refurbishment is being recognised in these significant awards.' Councillor Marina Strinkovsky, Swindon Borough Council's Cabinet Member for Placemaking and Planning, said: 'It's great to see the Carriage Works getting the recognition it deserves. 'A lot of thought went into to the design of the space, to make it a future-facing workspace that feels modern and convenient, while retaining the building's historic identity. 'The work to regenerate the site is a long process but with four units already occupied and a further four on the way, it's really starting to get a new lease of life. 'While I know we're up against some tough opposition, I'm sure Swindonians will get behind us and give us the best chance of coming home with the award.' Ross Simmonds, Regional Director for Historic England in the South West, said: 'We're delighted that the Carriage Works in Swindon has been shortlisted for the 2025 Constructing Excellence South West regeneration and conservation award, highlighting the power of heritage-led partnerships to breathe new life into communities. To vote for the Carriage Works in the Construction Excellence South West Awards, visit
BBC News
01-04-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Historic Health Hydro due to reopen early 2026
After months of delay, Swindon's historic Health Hydro is set to reopen early next due to be completed in late 2024, the discovery of asbestos and moisture issues has delayed the reopened improvements to the Victorian building will include a new gym, modernised accessible changing facilities, a ventilation system and a new engine facility closed two years ago to begin the multi-million-pound restoration which is phase one of the long-term goal of restoring the entire building to its former glory as a centre of health and well-being. Originally known as the Swimming Baths and Dispensary the facility was paid for and built by GWR workers housed in Swindon's nearby railway opened in 1891 with baths and pools, a dispensary and consulting rooms for doctors, dentists and other health care current restoration is being carried out in phases as funding is progressively secured, with the overall vision being to fully restore the building to its former glory as a centre for health and well-being. As well as a delayed reopening, the Grade II* listed building uncovered multiple challenges that also pushed up Marina Strinkovsky who has been leading the project said working on "an enormous historical building that has not had proper maintenance for three decades" has been total funding for the scheme has now risen from £6.5m to £ additional money has been made available through a grant from Historic England, reallocated government Towns Fund money and funding from developers. "We tried to make sure that as many users of the building have absolute safety, privacy and security," added Ms includes levelling access to the changing facilities which include large areas for families, those who need access to a hoist and school original design of a mixed-sex "changing village" has also been replaced by separate changing facilities for males and females.
Yahoo
27-01-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Bone from UK's largest stegosaur fossil returns home
A bone from the largest stegosaur fossil ever found in the UK is returning to its hometown The piece of vertebra is said to have come from a dinosaur discovered about 150 years ago in Swindon, which experts have said is the UK's most complete stegosaur skeleton. It will be on display at Museum & Art Swindon on Euclid Street. Swindon Borough Council councillor Marina Strinkovsky said: "It's fantastic that a piece of it is coming home." The fossil was first found in the quarry pit at Swindon Brick and Tile Company in 1874, a site now occupied by Halford's and The Range on Fleming Way. While most of the Swindon Stegosaur remains on display at the Natural History Museum in London, smaller parts were taken by fossil hunters and dispersed into other collections. "Swindon was really important in the history of palaeontology and loads of important fossil hunters lived here or visited Swindon in the late 19th Century to look for specimens," Ms Strinkovsky said. "The stegosaur ignites the imagination of Swindonians of all ages," she added. Stegosaurs were large, armoured, herbivorous dinosaurs that lived roughly 150 million years ago. The latest artefact to join the council-run museum was found by palaeontologist Dr Neville Hollingworth and Sally Hollingworth, who have been working alongside museum volunteers and staff through the Arts Council England-funded 'Unlocking Collections' project. The pair said: "We saw this specimen for sale and realised its importance straight away. "When the Swindon Stegosaur was collected in the 19th Century some of the original material ended up in private collections and we instantly recognised that the vertebra offered for sale had come from the original site where the skeleton was found. "We're delighted that Museum & Art Swindon has put this truly unique find from the town on display and, hopefully, this will help raise awareness about the town's Jurassic past," they added. Follow BBC Wiltshire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. Swindon's stegosaur still largest ever discovered 'Major dig' to start at mammoth graveyard in 2024 Museum & Art Swindon
