A SPLASH park that will transform The Leys in Witney is set to open on the first day of the summer holidays after three years of planning and community fundraising.

The £250,000 park – which includes pools, water jets, slides, climbing towers and teepees – is set to open at 9am on Monday, July 20.

Extensive plumbing work had to completed below ground before the pools, channels and climbing frames were installed above ground.

A giant double slide is in place and the huge piece of play equipment is already towering over the Leys.

Town councillors and invited guests will get to try out the park at a special preview opening tomorrow.

Deputy mayor Chris Holliday said he was delighted with the progress of the £250,000 park.

He said: “It’s going to be one of the best things that’s ever happened in Witney.”

Town councillor Harry Eaglestone, who was mayor when the project was first planned three years ago, added: “It’s a great relief to see this project coming to fruition.

“We are sure that this is going to be one of the most amazing and regionally significant recreation facilities in recent years.”

As well as the splash park, slides, climbing frames, teepees and tunnels, the park will be served by a new cafe at the old cricket pavilion that opened on Friday, June 26.

Contractor Premier Tennis has completely revamped the cafe and is running the tennis courts with discounted prices for families and individuals to pay and play, including by smartphone.

Council facilities manager Claire Swan said she was delighted with the way the cafe had been revamped and said the tennis courts will be managed in a way that will make it easy for people to play.

She said: “With the splash park, the cafe and the tennis courts, the Leys is going to be fantastic – it’s really very exciting for Witney.”

There is a court for people with disabilities and a practice wall.

The park came into being after 200 residents presented a petition to the town council when a previous splash pool had to be closed for health and safety reasons.

The project has been funded by grants from Witney Town Council, West Oxfordshire District Council, WREN and a contribution from the Liven up the Leys community group.

Deb Benn leads the Liven up the Leys group, which consists of Witney residents, and arranged a series of fundraising activities to raise £20,000.

She said: “It’s fantastic to see that all the hard work has paid off.

“A massive thank you to everyone including the local businesses that have supported the project and especially to everyone at Witney Town Council who have made this happen.”

* For a full programme of coaching sessions available at The Leys, visit parkstennis.co.uk