Much-loved huge waterpark opened by Princess Diana closed after 18 years now transformed

Much-loved huge waterpark opened by Princess Diana closed after 18 years now transformed It was a major family attraction for 18 years before it closed down in 2009 and was replaced with a new £16m leisure complex — but it still holds a special place in the hearts of locals For 18 years it was a much-loved family destination, before closing its doors and being transformed beyond recognition. Nestled in Bridgwater, Somerset, Sedgemoor Splash was a cherished indoor water park, boasting an array of pools, water slides, flumes and rides that made it the perfect spot for a fun-filled family day out. The venue brought something fresh to the area when it was built in 1991, generating enormous excitement when Sedgemoor District Council secured none other than Princess Diana to officially open it. It quickly became the go-to destination for locals looking to keep the whole family entertained on a wet day indoors, and was affectionately nicknamed 'The Splash'. Sadly, it shut its doors 18 years later in 2009, making way for a new leisure development that now stands as a reported £16m investment. The site of the former water park is now occupied by the Northgate Yard complex, which houses a cinema, a selection of restaurants, a gym, and more than 100 parking spaces. Former visitors took to Facebook to share their cherished memories and express their dismay at its closure, all these years on. One local wrote: "Splash needs to be bought back! There's no decent pools anymore, let alone anywhere to go have fun!" Another user shared: "Spent most of my teenage years there on a Saturday with my friends. It's a shame they knocked it down really. Maybe we wouldn't have the antisocial behaviour issues we have now if the teens had something like this still." One person wrote: "I remember taking my children here, so many happy hours spent having fun . Sad day it was closed." It is thought that the closure was largely down to dwindling council funds as a result of the global economic crisis at the time, with Sedgemoor Splash among the many council-run facilities to feel the pinch. It was previously reported that councillors agreed the £700,000 annual running costs were not a worthwhile use of money, and that investing in modernising the centre was simply unaffordable. Locals weren't prepared to let their beloved leisure centre go without a fight, and when the news broke, many took to the streets in protest. Around 30 people occupied the pool, brandishing banners and swimming costumes as a show of defiance against its closure. Taking things a step further, a total of 13 people allegedly stayed overnight inside the building in a bid to cause disruption, while a petition was also circulated. Despite their determined efforts, it wasn't enough to halt the site's redevelopment, and the leisure park shut its doors for good on 30 August 2009. Stepping in as Somerset's go-to water park destination is the Unity Splash Waterpark in Brean, roughly 30 minutes away. The attraction is set to become even more exciting, with a whopping £10 million investment expected to bring two additional pool areas, a lazy river, a larger family seating area, and a brand-new boardwalk to the site.