 |
| SGL Proposed Pool Restoration Plan at the Lido Image: STUDIO OCTOPI/ PICTURE PLANE |
The importance of these cannot be overstated, as next week the site's owners, South Lakeland District Council, will, at a meeting of its Cabinet, consider the site's future and decide whether or not to go ahead with their long-awaited plans or allow the SGL campaign to proceed with theirs.
 |
| SLDC Proposed Garden on the Lido Site |
To remind you of the situation, a brief history of the site might be useful: the Lido was designed and built by Grange Urban District Council in the 1930s as part of the then government's push for improved health and increased exercise for everyone. It was constructed using labour from a scheme designed to provide work after WW1 (remember the 1930s was the start of the great depression) at a cost of around £18,000, and opened with a grand opening gala on 18th August 1932.
The Lido remained open and popular for 60 years but was then closed from 1993 after an alleged serious leak (although the pool still holds water - see first photo below) and an examination of council papers of the time revealed the closure was more to do with the need to make significant budget savings than the claimed leak itself. Since 1993 the Lido site has been left to rot by its owners (the photos below were taken in June 2018).
So, the question is going to be, which is the better option? A fancy garden which will cost ratepayers £1.9m plus annual upkeep, or a restored pool which will cost ratepayers nothing and will be self-financing. I know which option I'd prefer! #SaveGrangeLido
www.savegrangelido.co.uk
www.facebook.com/GrangeLido/
Twitter savegrangelido
Drawing credits: www.octopi.co.uk
See the abandoned pool from the air: Youtube
