WORK to spruce up the Dolphin Swimming Pool concourse to create the new “Seldown Park” is set to go ahead this winter.

The £13,200 project will transform the uninviting paved area in front of the pool into a new town centre green space with gentle slopes, terraced grass areas, a new footpath layout, and a paved central area with seating, lighting, as well as new tree planting.

Designed to extend Poole Park outwards, the new park will also link in with any future work in the town centre north area between the bus station and Lighthouse.

An initial consultation was carried out at the Dolphin Pool in February, with the council asking residents how they use the area and what they would like to see there.

Two concourse design options were displayed at the pool in early June, complete with computer-generated 3D ‘walk-throughs’, before the consultation ended on June 18.

Now the final designs have been chosen and gone on display on banners in the concourse area ahead of working getting started.

The space will be known as Seldown Park in recognition of Seldown House, that once stood in the grounds of the original Poole Grammar School, before its move in 1966, and which lends it’s name to the adjacent bridge.

The council is going out to tender this autumn and work is expected to be complete by spring next year.

Cllr Peter Adams, cabinet member for leisure and culture, said: “This piece of land is currently under-used and we hope the changes will significantly enhance the open space and transform it into an area everyone can enjoy.

“The public consultation we have carried out has been very positive and we look forward to the work starting.”