By Carmelo Garcia – Local Democracy Reporter
Stroud’s much-loved outdoor pool is due to reopen this Saturday (August 15) to the delight and gratitude of residents who campaigned to make it happen.
Earlier this year, Stratford Park Lido was deemed unsafe to reopen. And Stroud District Council chiefs initially announced it would remain closed this year due to the major long-term repairs needed.
However, after public outcry, councillors decided to set aside £476,000 for urgent maintenance to allow the facility to reopen on August 15.
Save Our Lido Stroud (SOLS), the volunteer group dedicated to protecting and celebrating the town’s historic open-air pool, welcomed the official reopening.
They said the beloved 1930s pool is set to reopen after months of community campaigning against the closure.
Caroline Molloy, who led the SOLS campaign for the reopening of the pool, said: “We are so grateful to everyone who has shown up, helped spread the word, and shown the council how important it is to take care of our lido and keep it open.
“We feel lucky to have our outdoor pool and lucky to have such a strong community. This re-opening is thanks to everyone who emailed councillors, flash mobbed, waved placards, signed the petition, put up posters, turned up to boring council meetings, donated to fund the mural, and more.
“We can’t wait to see everyone at the outdoor pool over the next six weeks – let’s come and show the lido some love!”
Council chiefs have also committed to borrowing £900,000 for long-term improvements to the lido subject to approval by councillors at a future meeting.
And political group leaders at Ebley Mill were united this week in thanking residents council staff, members of the public, and contractor Beard Construction for collaborating and making the opening possible.
Heavy rain, then periods of extreme heat caused extra challenges for the contractor, which worked weekends to make sure the opening date would be met, according to the council.
“We so are pleased to be welcoming swimmers back to Stratford Park Lido this weekend,” said the council’s Green Party leader Chloe Turner (G, Minchinhampton).
“The Lido is a much-loved part of our district’s heritage and community life, and we know residents will be delighted to see it reopen.”
Labour group leader Katy Hofmann (Rodborough) thanked “everyone who has supported efforts to reopen the Lido”.
“We look forward to seeing people enjoying the facility once again,” she said.
Conservative Group Leader Lindsey Green (Berkeley Vale) said it was a collaborative effort: “Thank you to everyone – the community, council staff and councillors, and partners – who made this possible.”
And Liberal Democrat group leader Linda Cohen (Wotton-under-Edge) said: “This reopening is an important step and work is already underway to explore the best model for the future.”
SOLS say they have organised a weekend of family-friendly entertainment and live music in collaboration with Stroud District Council.
There will be music, a new mural unveiling and family activities at the lido forecourt on August 15.
And the Active Lifestyles team will host a gazebo until midday featuring games, goody bags, and lido colouring sheets.
The pool opens on Saturday from 9 to 11am for lane swimming, 11am to 2pm and 2.30 to 5.30pm for public swimming, with late lane swimming from 5.45pm to 6.45pm.
Meanwhile on Sunday, August 16, there will be all-day DJs by the pool.
The pool opens on Sunday from 10-10.45am for lane swimming, 11am 2pm and 2.30pm to 5.30pm for public swimming, and 5.45-6.45pm for lane swimming.
And council chiefs aim to extend the pool’s open season for as long as possible into September subject to the weather, customer demand and operational requirements.
Opened in 1937, the unheated pool has been enjoyed by generations of residents and visitors and remains a much-loved part of summer in Stroud.
The spring-fed outdoor pool is set within Stratford Park and offers a unique open-air swimming experience.
A 2017 public consultation run by SDC, Stroud Town Council and The Friends of the Lido group tested a selection of names with the public.
The most popular was Stratford Park Lido which is how the pool has been referred to since then.