Stroud District Council and Friends of Stratford Park Lido have underlined their commitment to reopen the open air pool next year and continue to improve it.

Unfortunately, the spring-fed pool cannot be opened this year, because of the Coronavirus-enforced closure of Stratford Park Leisure Centre.

The pool usually opens from May to the beginning of September but it takes approximately three weeks to fill from a spring following two weeks of painting, plus safety checks and training of temporary staff.

The centre has had no income from customers since lockdown in March, so it has not been possible to plan for a reopening of the outdoor pool.

A restricted number of activities restarted at the centre on Saturday, July 25.

“It’s a much-loved facility and we know it’s a disappointment that it can’t be opened this year,” said Councillor Mattie Ross, Chair of the Community Services and Licensing Committee.

“But I want to make it absolutely clear that we intend to open it as usual in May next year, subject to any public health restrictions.”

The pool was built under Stroud Urban District Council engineer and surveyor FS Cutler at a cost of around £20,000 in 1937, and for generations it has been a popular spot particularly during spells of hot weather.

Volunteer-run community group The Friends of Stratford Park Lido is working with Stroud District Council and operator SLM to develop the facility, to restore and protect it as a high-quality community heritage asset.

Stroud District Council, National Lottery Heritage Fund and Stroud Town Council have funded preliminary work to develop plans to improve the pool’s facilities, including introducing heating. The Lido will be part of a new Stroud District Council leisure and cultural strategy for Stratford Park too.

Jess McQuail, chair of the Friends, said: “We are really disappointed that the pool cannot open this season, but understand the position, and will continue to work with local people, Stroud District Council, Stroud Town Council, and SLM to make sure it is restored and protected.”

For more information about the Friends group, visit www.stratfordparklido.org