An online petition has been launched following the impending closure of Stroud’s well-known outdoor swimming pool, with swimmers demanding answers from Stroud District Council.
Campaigners say the proposed shutdown of the popular pool has caused widespread concern within the community, prompting an online petition calling on the council to provide full transparency about the decision and the facility’s future.
Stratford Park Lido will remain closed this summer for the first time in 90 years. Council officials say the pool’s lining, as well as the pump, valves and pipework are now beyond repair and a staggering £5m is needed to be found towards its refurbishment.
Stratford Park Lido was built at a cost of £20,000 in 1937 on land acquired by the district council in 1935.
FLASHBACK: Watch Faye Hatcher take a dip before last year’s opening.
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It uses natural spring water pumped on-site that was heated before its boiler was removed during World War II and melted down to provide metal for the war effort.
While most modern swimming pools have two pumps, in case one breaks down, Stroud Lido also has just one 90-year-old pump filling two filtration tanks that need replacing.
Campaigners are urging people to attend a council meeting this week to raise their concerns in person. The meeting is due to take place at Ebley Mill on Thursday, 7pm.
Denise Ballard, a keen user of the pool, said: “Growing up in Stroud, the Stratford Park Lido has been more than just a place to swim; it’s been a cornerstone of our community. Generations of Stroud residents have learned to swim, made summer memories, and bonded with their neighbours at this cherished spot. As a longtime member of Stroud’s swimming community, I can’t overstate how devastating its closure has been for us all. The lido wasn’t merely a leisure pool, but a place where our community gathered, and where swimmers of all ages honed their skills.
“However, recently, the Stroud District Council (SDC) announced the unexpected closure of the lido, leaving us all in shock, disbelief, and frustration. Many of us find ourselves with pressing questions about how and why this decision was reached, and what specific factors have led to this juncture. Particularly, we urge SDC to clarify the details surrounding the recurrent maintenance failures and the financial oversight that has left us without our beloved swimming spot. These concerns speak volumes about the effectiveness of SDC’s management and strategic planning for the Lido.
“We demand transparency from Stroud District Council regarding the expenses, bids, and any projected costs that influenced this decision. How has a community staple, which has served us year in, year out, been abandoned without notice or viable alternatives? The absence of clear communication has left the residents of Stroud feeling excluded from decisions that drastically affect our community life and cohesion. Instead of vague explanations, the residents deserve an honest, detailed account of the council’s fiscal planning and the measures taken – or not taken -to prevent this closure.
“Moreover, the closure has impacted our young swimmers and those among us who rely on the lido for physical therapy and mental well-being. Without this invaluable resource, we are left with a significant void in our town’s social structure.
“The aim of this petition is not just to seek answers but to push for accountability and restoration. We urge SDC to publicly disclose the details of the maintenance work, the specifics of the costing involved, and how these processes were managed every step of the way. Transparency is key; we need to understand where oversights occurred and how they will be rectified to bring the Lido back to life. We ask for the lido to open for this summer season the indoor pool just doesn’t have the capacity for the amount of lane swimming needed with the current timetable.
“As the lido enters into its 90th year please join me in calling for full disclosure and a committed effort to reopen the Stratford Park Lido.
“The future of our community’s most treasured open-air pool must not be left in the dark. Sign this petition to hold Stroud District Council accountable and demand they act swiftly to bring back the heart of Stroud’s swimming community.”
The petition can be accessed by clicking this link here
Councillor Martin Brown, Chair of the Council’s Community Services and Licensing Committee, said councillors remain determined to give the facility every chance of a sustainable future.
“Stratford Park Lido is an iconic and much-loved place in our district’s history, and we are determined to give it every chance of a sustainable future,” he said.
“We would gladly borrow the £5 million needed if it were financially viable, because we understand what this pool means to so many people. But the reality is that not enough people use the Lido each summer to repay a loan of that size, and the Council would have to stop funding other essential services to cover the costs.
“That’s why we are asking our community, charities and partners to work with us. We remain hopeful that together we can find a solution that protects this wonderful site for future generations.”
The council has approached Friends of Stratford Park Lido to help explore the next steps, including potential fundraising campaigns and partnership opportunities.
Over the coming weeks, councillors will consider options for the future of the facility, including how residents, swimmers and supporters could help lead fundraising efforts to secure the lido’s long-term future.
If no solution is found, the council has confirmed the site will be protected from further deterioration until the new Unitary Authority decides on the next steps.
Residents and supporters who would like to help or find out more can visit: www.stroud.gov.uk/lido.
