So:
We've bought a property with a swimming pool. I wasn't mad keen on the pool but the location and house are perfect so it seemed like an unexpected bonus.
Not entirely unexpectedly it's not in the best of shape. It's 20yrs old and there's a leak in it somewhere, the skimmer and the return are both leaking and need replacing. We've got a reputable firm working on it trying to "make do and mend" but it seems that if it won't hold water and the filter needs reworking then it's going to cost us £3000-£3500 eventually to re-line and sort the plumbing out. We could find the money (not immediately but prob save by end of year) but if I'm going to chuck that sort of money on home improvements it wouldn't ideally be on something that takes up a quarter of the garden and gets v limited use (it's not heated). It's got a few small trees around it that are probably playing merry havoc too.
The pool is 5mx3m and 1.5m deep (but built up slightly above ground). It has about 1m of patio all round it. We've put up a safety fence around the patio to keep the kids out for now.
Any genius ideas for how else we could spend that money to make better use of the space? We have 2 (preschool) DCs.
DH loves the pool as a feature and wants to try and save it. I don't want to spend another penny if it's not worth saving and we won't use it.
Ideas (some which will cost way more than saving it:
Fish pond
Put a greenhouse roof on it and have a sunken greenhouse
Drill the bottom, demolish, fill in and put fake grass on for a little football pitch.
Put a real roof on, stick a games table in and turn it into a pool hall (haha)
I realise this is a massive FW problem. So don't flame me. Just after some ideas from people more creative than me!
Join our Property forum for renovation, DIY, and house selling advice.
Property/DIY
Swimming Pool - what to do.
SillyQuestion2005 · 15/08/2016 15:10
Yep. I think that's where I'm going with this pottering but I don't think DH agrees. So I'm trying to source a fantastic way to use the space that trumps "swimming pool" in his mind. 
There's a bit of a demolition job because of the wall around it and need to create drainage but it's got to be cheaper than the alternative.
I've not massively researched the ongoing running costs of heating it. But I think a heat pump would cost another £1000 or so. Not tempting.
-
Safetots Advanced Retractable Safety Gate reviewCustomer-service fans’ favourite, Safetots is onto a winner with its retractable stair gate. The Safetots Advanced Retractable gate is reassuringly secure and its unique design means it fits a range of spaces inside and outside your home.
Read more -
Bestway Fast Set Paddling Pool review: an affordable pool for keeping kids cool this summerLooking for a great paddling pool to keep you and the kids cool through the summer months? Mum-of-two Rebecca put the Bestway Fast Set 8ft Paddling Pool through its paces, here's what she thought of the budget-friendly pool.
Read more -
Chad Valley 8.5ft Family Swim Centre Paddling Pool review: is this the best inflatable paddling pool for kids?Put through its paces by our tester, Jane, and her two young children across two hot London summers - here's what we thought of this popular inflatable paddling pool.
Read more
If it is heated then your children could have a pool party every year for their birthday party. That alone would probably offset the cost of the heat pump over 10 years of parties.
I know I said fill it in, but I might be talking myself into keeping your pool
Don’t want to miss threads like this?
Weekly
Sign up to our weekly round up and get all the best threads sent straight to your inbox!
Log in to update your newsletter preferences.
You've subscribed!
This reply has been deleted
Message withdrawn at poster's request.
To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.