Owner Considers Draining Lake to Prevent Nighttime Swimming
The owner of a water park has announced plans to drain the lake if young trespassers do not cease swimming in it during the night, citing concerns over potential drownings.
Pete Boyle, owner of Let's Go Hydro, expressed his anxiety about the risk of someone getting into trouble in the water, which has caused him sleepless nights.
"I simply cannot have that risk in my life. If we cannot keep them out, there's only one thing left to do and that's to empty the lake,"
he stated.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland confirmed awareness of children entering the outdoor activity facility.
Let's Go Hydro, located in Carryduff, recently invested £30,000 in fencing, complementing other security measures such as CCTV surveillance.
Boyle emphasized the personal responsibility he feels should a drowning occur despite precautions.
"If someone was to drown in the lake it would be my fault, even if we've taken every measure."
He expressed concern that children are able to climb over the fence at night to access the lake.
"It's very worrying that the children feel like they can climb over the fence at night and get into the lake,"
Boyle told NI.
The trespassers have been entering the lake around 20:00 and remaining until close to midnight over the past three weekends.
Boyle noted the lake temperature was approximately eight degrees Celsius during the last measurement.
"If you go in that lake, you've got about eight minutes before you will die."
Risks and Limited Rescue Options
Despite the security measures, Boyle stated that the company’s options are limited beyond urging people to stay out of the lake.
"The water is safe when there's a lifeguard and you have a life jacket on,"
he explained.
"We spend a lot of time and money to make sure everything is completely regulated and safe.
But climbing over a fence to [get to] a lake in the middle of the night in the winter when the water is freezing cold - with no wet suit where there's no way of rescue - it's so dangerous.
Our wish is to promote water sports but I will not be lying awake at night wondering is there another kid in my lake?
Waiting for the phone call to be told that someone's dead in the lake - I simply will not have that on my conscience."
Community Leaders Stress Importance of Safety
Alliance Party MLA Kate Nicholl highlighted that children's safety is of "paramount importance" and urged young people to act responsibly and parents to remain vigilant.
"What can seem like a fun situation can turn dangerous so quickly,"
added the Belfast South assembly member.
Nicholl pointed out that at the times children are entering the water, immediate assistance is unavailable if an emergency occurs.
She encouraged parents to discuss water safety and the dangers of swimming at night with their children.
"It actually doesn't matter what age you are.
No one should be trespassing full stop but no one should be swimming there at that time of night."
Sinn Féin councillor Daniel Basset stated his commitment to collaborating with local organizations, the owner, and the community to prevent such incidents.
Social Democratic and Labour Party councillor John Gallon also appealed to young people and families, emphasizing the extreme danger of entering the lake at night and the community’s desire to prevent drownings.
