Stroud’s Labour group has spoken out on plans for Stratford Park Lido’s future.
The facility will not open this summer and could remain closed indefinitely, the council has warned, citing an estimated £5 million needed for essential refurbishment work.
Protesters descended on Ebley Mill last night to oppose the impending closure of Stratford Park Lido.
Councillor Katy Hofmann, leader of the Stroud District Council Labour group, said: “Last night’s District Council meeting put members in a very difficult position; close the Lido to prevent the risk of harm to users, or back the community and vote to keep the Lido open in its current condition. An impossible dilemma created by keeping news of the Lido’s deterioration under wraps until just days before the meeting.
“Whether this decision by the Green Party administration was deliberate, designed to wrong-foot councillors, or incompetence – not realising the community would be up in arms – is moot.
“Councillors were told about plans not to reopen at the same time as the public, many finding out about it from a press release. We were then asked to make a critically important decision without being given time to ask residents for input, and without the detailed information we needed about the options for keeping the Lido open.
“The truth is, there is no structural survey that says the Lido must close. Or that it would cost £5m to make the essential repairs necessary to keep it open.
“As Labour councillor, Shyama Ananathan, pointed out, the last condition survey was conducted in 2023 and concluded that essential works could be completed for as little as £380,000. Even accounting for inflation and continued degradation, this is nowhere near the £5m now being quoted – a figure that includes non-essential items like heating the pool.
“While officers raised fears about the risk that flaking of the pool floor might make the water cloudy – an obvious safety issue – long-term pool users know that it’s been flaky for years and the water’s always been clear. Fears were also raised about cracks in the diving board base, but again this was purely a visual inspection without the benefit of a full structural survey.
“Labour councillors called for an urgent structural survey report, including a list of the minimum essential work required to operate the pool safely this summer, and the total cost. This information is critical for councillors to make a fully informed decision at the next council meetings in April when the final decision will be made. In the absence of this information, councillors last night felt compelled to apply the precautionary principle and vote for closure.
“The one positive from this sorry tale is the galvanising effect it’s had on the community. It’s pulled fans of the Lido together with a strong commitment to rebuild and keep the facilities open. We fully support this and will do everything we can to help secure the Lido’s, as other towns have with theirs.
“Stroud has a proud tradition of saving important landmark assets for the community. We did it with the Lansdown Hall, the Sub Rooms, the Heavens and pubs and shops across the district. My colleagues and I will be with you all the way.”
