Major works to modernise Stratford Park Leisure Centre and Lido in Stroud are in the pipeline with £2.7 million of investment being approved this July 2024.
The funding from Stroud District Council will be used for a five-year programme of upgrades to the 88-year-old lido and 49-year-old leisure centre, along with a feasibility study into making large scale changes longer term.
The programme will include repairs to brickwork, roofing, decoration, doors and flooring, along with upgrades to air conditioning, lighting and the external toilet block at the leisure centre.
It will also include the repair of the lido ‘tank’ and replacement of its pumps and plant, which are more than 80 years old.
The leisure centre — which includes an indoor swimming pool, gym, sports hall and artificial football pitch — is owned by the council and will be solely operated by the authority from November 2024, for the first time since 1992.
With £1.3 million being spent on critical repairs and upgrades in the programme's first year, the council hopes to improve the overall experience for users, as well as attract more visitors to increase the centre's income.
The spring water lido, which opened in 1936, is run with the support of volunteer group The Friends of Stratford Park Lido.
It currently runs at a loss of £110,000 across its summer opening season, but is funded by the council due to its value to the community.
Councillor Beki Aldam said of the funding approval: 'We are excited about the opportunities that a sound and necessary investment in the leisure centre and Lido will give us. We want a leisure centre and lido that residents can be proud of and visitors flock to see.
'We want to honour the heritage of our area – with a spring-water filled outdoor swimming experience, and one of the only grade I listed diving boards left in the country! There is so much potential.'
