Seeing the blue slides in the distance as I approached Splash World in my parents' car was one of the most exciting moments of my early life.
Tightly clutching my gym bag until my knuckles turned white as we rolled into the car park and jumping out to the faint smell of chlorine in the air was intoxicating. However, the last time I stepped foot in the building was during the pandemic when it was being used as a covid centre.
In my mind I could still hear the din of noise as children screamed in joy but it seemed far out of reach as people quietly lined up to get the vaccine. Gone were the days of cannon balls, racing friends down the water slide, and getting drenched under the water bucket. I could still recall the memory but the building felt empty.
