Remedial works to fully repair Redcar boating lake are likely to take another two months to complete, although sections of it could be opened sooner.
A specialist contractor has been investigating why the near 100-year-old structure in Coatham has been leaking water.
A further update issued by Redcar and Cleveland Council and shared via social media said the works would begin today and were estimated to take approximately eight weeks. These will consist of surface dressing the concrete slab, which forms part of the structure, and sealing all joints and cracks - the council having first last year approved a payment of £10,000 towards related work.
Cofferdams - temporary enclosures that are being used to block off sections of the lake - have been used to flood test areas and identify specific leaks. A previous test filling of the entire lake in April saw an overnight loss of 100 to 130mm of water, which has since been reduced to between 30 and 40mm over a period of 24 hours.
Coatham ward councillor and cabinet member Carl Quartermain said the continued use of one cofferdam had enabled Redcar Model Boat Club to hold a recent D-Day commemoration event, members having previously been frustrated in their efforts to sail their boats.
The investigative works included a full topography survey, core samples of the concrete slab being taken and the use of ground penetrating radar. Cllr Quartermain said a large area of the lake would be available to use for the public sooner, rather than waiting for the completion of repairs on the entire lake and early indications were that this area would be ready following repairs by the middle of next month.
He said this was “positive news”, but also acknowledged community frustrations over the saga. Council leader Alec Brown said last December that he wanted to see remedial repairs completed - not just started - by Easter or Spring at the latest, a potential timescale which has clearly slipped.
He previously highlighted an increased number of visitors to the area as a result of council regeneration plans which have seen the opening of a crazy golf course and coastal activity hub, with a planned new hotel also on the horizon.
Conservative councillor Peter Grogan, who represents the Kirkleatham ward, in Redcar, has twice raised problems with the lake at full council meetings, pressing for investment in the facility and sharing the problems encountered by the model boat club which at one point turned to racing model cars on the water-less structure instead.
Cllr Grogan first raised the matter back in October 2023, claiming the structure had been neglected in recent years and required investment. He also revealed jokingly how he fell into it as a child and described how it had brought “enjoyment to generations”.
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