Coate Water Park could see £1 million invested in it over the next few years to make sure it remains a popular destination for Swindonians for decades to come.

But some are still worried that the whole park might be improved, the popular splash park and pitch and putt course might be earmarked for closure.

Swindon Borough Council says it will spend the money given to it by the builders of the huge Badbury Park housing development in south Swindon on giving Coate Water a facelift.

But there remain on the table two proposals for the Conservative-run administration budget for 2019-20 to save £10,000 by closing the children’s splash park permanently, and £20,000 by ‘considering options’ to close or downgrade the pitch and putt.

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Hundreds of people have signed a petition in just a day pleading with the council not to close Coate Water splash park and pitch and putt course.

One online petition has already attracted more than 800 signatures and says: “We the undersigned call on Swindon Borough Council to guarantee, through continued public funding from the Borough Council, the future of the splash park and the 18-hole Pitch and Putt course at Coate Water Country Park.”

Labour candidate for the Parliamentary constituency of South Swindon,Sarah Church said: “Having spoken with dozens of residents from the parks area, it’s clear that they, and so many others across Swindon, do not want to see the popular splash park and mini golf disappear because the Tories are struggling to budget. These attractions mean a lot to families across Swindon, but particularly those on low incomes, as they are accessible and affordable. I take my children in the summer and I stand with all the families out there that say ‘No’ to yet another proposed closure from the council.”

But Conservatives on the council say they are guaranteeing the park will actually be improved.

Cabinet member for economic development Coun Oliver Donachie said: “We have about £1m in funding from section 106 contributions from the builders of the Badbury Park development.

“It’s quite prescriptive how you spend that money, but we’re going to put it into Coate Water. Along with the parking fees we receive at the park, I want it all to be consolidated and used well - that’s how we’ managed to transform Lydiard House and park recently.”

Coun Donachie said he has called a meeting with the local ward councillors, Fionuala Foley and Brian Mattock and senior officers tomorrow to discuss improvement. He said: “I want us to come with a plan to keep Coate going for at least 20 years.”