AFTER remaining dry since before the beginning of the Pandemic, Bradford’s Mirror Pool is finally re-opening.

There have been multiple tests on the fountains at the City Park attraction in the past few days, with crowds enjoying the pool, and the water feature is expected to be fully open and operational by the weekend - just in time for a predicted heatwave.

But people will be urged to use caution when visiting the pool due to high Covid infection rates.

The mirror pool - the largest urban water feature in the UK, was shut down in 2019 after a major flood caused damage to its subterranean pump room.

This led to the attraction shutting until August 2019 - missing most of the Summer weather.

In February, just weeks before the Covid 19 Pandemic, Bradford Council announced that the pool would temporarily close to allow for a major refurbishment, including further works to the damaged pump room.

But when the pandemic hit this work was delayed, and progress was further hit due to difficulties sourcing parts due to the global shutdown.

Plans for multi million pound 'One City Park' finally submitted

Since the Mirror Pool was closed, City Park has become the home of a Covid 19 testing centre.

Up until last month there was no clear indication from Bradford Council as to when the Mirror Pool would reopen, despite the reopening of many businesses in the city centre as lockdown eased - the pool remained drained and unused.

After the feature’s re-opening was announced, Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Regeneration, Planning and Transport, said: “We are delighted that we are now in a position to restart the fountains in City Park.

“The repairs have been a complex task and Covid-19 has presented the technicians with additional challenges and has led to subsequent delays.

“We’re glad that we are able to welcome people back to enjoy the fountains in City Park, but Covid-19 hasn’t gone away and people should continue to remain cautious as case numbers are still high and rising rapidly.

“We want to encourage everyone to continue to give each other space, wear a face covering in high risk places, get tested and isolate if you are unwell, mix outside if possible or let air in indoors and to get both doses of the vaccine.”

The 4,000 square foot pool opened in 2012 as the centrepiece to the new City Park.

During warm weather it regularly attracts huge crowds, and had been the centre of Christmas Lights Switch ons, festivals and concerts.

It has 100 illuminated fountains, the largest of which rises 30 feet into the air.

The Mirror Pool has also won numerous awards from groups ranging from the Academy of Urbanism, the Royal Town Planning Institute and British Construction Industry.

This week a planning application to build a five storey office building a short distance from the pool was submitted to Bradford Council.

The One City Park Development would be built on the former Tyrls Police Station site - an area which is currently a temporary park.

The application, by Muse Developments, says the building would “complete” City Park.