A LAKE which was drained and underwent repairs costing �750,000 last year will not be open to visitors as expected this summer due to damage to its liner. Security fencing has been put up around the sailing lake at Fairlands Valley Park in Stevenage to pr

A LAKE which was drained and underwent repairs costing �750,000 last year will not be open to visitors as expected this summer due to damage to its liner.

Security fencing has been put up around the sailing lake at Fairlands Valley Park in Stevenage to prevent public access to the lake.

In spring last year, about 37,000 fish were removed from the lake and it was drained in order to carry out necessary repairs. Specialist contractors undertook the replacement of the wave deflector beams, and rejointing of the concrete surround.

The main valve was then closed to start the process of capturing the rain water to refill the lake. The winter rainfall and the snow in early February this year resulted in the water level in the lake rising to within one metre of its ideal depth.

However the water level has been falling since mid February.

Council officers have carried out numerous investigations to find out the cause of the drop in water level and have discovered some damage to the lake liner, allowing significant loss of water. It is not clear at this stage how the damage was caused.

Nick Parry, interim chief executive of Stevenage Borough Council, said: "Unfortunately this summer people will not be able to enjoy the lake as normal.

"Both Stevenage Borough Council and Stevenage Leisure Limited are doing everything they can to make sure that Fairlands Valley Park is available in its entirety in 2010.

"This does not affect the new Aqua Park at Fairlands, which is scheduled to be open next month.

"In addition, there will be wide range of activities at Fairlands this summer for all the family, including paddle sports, raft building, power kiting and Nordic walking.