Summary
Stroud’s much-loved Stratford Park lido could reopen this summer as civic chiefs have agreed to look at doing the essential repairs needed to make it safe as soon as possible. Opening the outdoor swimming pool for this summer in its current state is deemed to be too dangerous for its users.
Details
However, Stroud District Councillors agreed last night (April 16) a way forward which could see the site open in time for the school summer holidays. Three major hazards were found during a risk assessment conducted at the site in February this year. These include several cracks in the concrete on the poolside directly beneath and next to the diving board.
And the survey found excessive corrosion in the pipework and the pool tank. Council chiefs estimate a £5.1 million upgrade is needed to make the lido sustainable for the long term. And their initial plans would have involved not opening the site for the upcoming season.
But, after mounting public pressure, councillors have agreed to seek a way to reopen Stratford Park Lido this summer, reversing the direction set by the community services and licensing committee last month. Dozens of residents gathered outside the council offices at Ebley Mill and chanted “only a fool would close the pool” ahead of the crunch strategy and resources committee which discussed the lido.
Many proceeded to pack the public gallery and hear questions and answers on the issues affecting the pool and proposals for its future. The meeting heard how preliminary findings from further investigations suggest the foundation of the diving board area is sound. And council chiefs stressed they want to keep the lido open but it needs to be made safe to do so and a long-term solution will still be needed.
Labour group leader Katy Hofmann (Rodborough) proposed an amendment which sought to explore ways to repair and open the lido in time for the summer. This was seconded by committee chairman and Green Party council leader Chloe Turner (Minchinhampton).
Cllr Hofmann said one of the main reasons for bringing the amendment to the original motion “didn’t seem to reflect the strong desire by the public and members of this committee to find a way to open the lido this summer. “I felt it didn’t reflect a desire to act quickly to develop a plan to identify costs for the repairs that are needed if the pool is to open this year,” she said.
Cllr Turner said she would very much like to support the proposals and said: “We’ve worked together to hopefully give us the mechanisms we need to move as quickly as possible.” She went on to say that officers have been working “absolutely flat out” behind closed doors and she echoed Cllr Hofmann’s comments. “There is no question of people sitting on their hands here,” she said.
What You Need to Know
Stroud’s much-loved Stratford Park lido could reopen this summer as civic chiefs have agreed to look at doing the essential repairs needed to make it safe as soon as possible. Opening the outdoor swimming pool for this summer in its current state is deemed to be too dangerous for its users.
However, Stroud District Councillors agreed last night (April 16) a way forward which could see the site open in time for the school summer holidays. Three major hazards were found during a risk assessment conducted at the site in February this year. These include several cracks in the concrete on the poolside directly beneath and next to the diving board.
And the survey found excessive corrosion in the pipework and the pool tank. Council chiefs estimate a £5.1 million upgrade is needed to make the lido sustainable for the long term. And their initial plans would have involved not opening the site for the upcoming season.
But, after mounting public pressure, councillors have agreed to seek a way to reopen Stratford Park Lido this summer, reversing the direction set by the community services and licensing committee last month. Dozens of residents gathered outside the council offices at Ebley Mill and chanted “only a fool would close the pool” ahead of the crunch strategy and resources committee which discussed the lido.
Many proceeded to pack the public gallery and hear questions and answers on the issues affecting the pool and proposals for its future. The meeting heard how preliminary findings from further investigations suggest the foundation of the diving board area is sound. And council chiefs stressed they want to keep the lido open but it needs to be made safe to do so and a long-term solution will still be needed.
Labour group leader Katy Hofmann (Rodborough) proposed an amendment which sought to explore ways to repair and open the lido in time for the summer. This was seconded by committee chairman and Green Party council leader Chloe Turner (Minchinhampton).
Cllr Hofmann said one of the main reasons for bringing the amendment to the original motion “didn’t seem to reflect the strong desire by the public and members of this committee to find a way to open the lido this summer. “I felt it didn’t reflect a desire to act quickly to develop a plan to identify costs for the repairs that are needed if the pool is to open this year,” she said.
Cllr Turner said she would very much like to support the proposals and said: “We’ve worked together to hopefully give us the mechanisms we need to move as quickly as possible.” She went on to say that officers have been working “absolutely flat out” behind closed doors and she echoed Cllr Hofmann’s comments. “There is no question of people sitting on their hands here,” she said.