Leicester: Repairs to adventure playground delayed after fire damage

A community adventure playground in Leicester has said it is still waiting to repair a building badly damaged in a fire in January.

Part of the Goldhill Adventure playground, in Windley Road, caught fire on January 28.

Leicestershire Police said they believe the fire was deliberately started and have launched an investigation.

Playground manager Dee Dixon said he hoped the repairs would be done before the project’s busy summer season begins.

“We still can’t use the building – it’s a nightmare,” she said.

“It’s still a burnt shell.”

Ms Dixon said repair work had not started because the insurance company for Leicester City Council – which owns the site – was “dragging their feet”.

“The insurance company is figuring out what they’re going to do about it, so it’s still on hold,” she said.

“We’re waiting for them to come replace the roof and then get back out there and start working.

“It’s been 14 weeks and as far as we’re concerned we could have the job done, dusted off and then business as usual.

– We can’t wait now.

Mrs Dixon previously said the fire had a devastating effect on the scheme which runs a food bank, education sessions for out-of-school youngsters and daily play sessions for local children.

At the time of the fire, she said someone poured gasoline near the project’s art room and set it on fire.

A council spokesman confirmed a contractor had been appointed after it was given the go-ahead.

They said: “We know how important this building is to Goldhill Adventure Playground and have been working with our insurers to resolve this issue as quickly as possible.

“We have also previously provided funding for temporary toilets to help deal with some of the disruption caused by the arson attack.

“We are now finalizing the schedule for the necessary repair work and this will be confirmed with the adventure playground as soon as possible.”

Leicestershire Police said no arrests have been made and their inquiries are continuing.