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Gloucestershire Business News

Lido hit by a fresh setback

A major effort to open Stroud's ageing Lido has been hit by a growth of green algae.

It means the opening will be pushed back by five days, subject to a clean water inspection and lifeguard training which can only take place in the 55-yard cold water pool.

Despite the best efforts of operator Everyone Active, the Lido has developed a growth of green algae.

Samples were taken yesterday (Thursday) to test the water so that the contractor can best understand how to treat it. The results are due back early next week. The team is super-chlorinating the water to stop any further growth.

The opening of this season will be pushed back to an expected opening of the weekend of June 10, subject to a clean water inspection and the ability to pool test the lifeguards in the Lido.

Community services and licensing committee deputy chair Trevor Hall said: "This is extremely disappointing news, but I am sure we all agree the health of the swimmers and staff must come first.

"On a more positive note, the surrounding poolside area and changing facilities have been prepared in readiness with a joint effort from SGS college students, the Friends of the Lido group, and the team at Everyone Active.

"We know how highly the Lido is valued by the local community and that's why we, with our contractor, are determined to overcome this latest obstacle."

The council doesn't want swimmers to miss out on pool time, so will work with Everyone Active to try and extend the pool's opening into September if weather and staffing permits.

The Lido, designed by FS Cutler in 1937, needs more maintenance every year. Wet weather delayed the annual painting of the pool 'tank' and then a burst pipe was fixed but a filter issue caused another week's delay.

That meant filling the Lido started on Thursday May 11, approximately 10 days behind schedule. Once three-quarters full, the schedule of starting the pump, treating and filtering the water and balancing the chemicals took place.

That pushed the opening back from May 27 to June 5 but the green algae appeared before the lifeguards could be trained, so now the earliest it can open will be June 10.

Friends of Stroud Lido volunteers have painted the changing rooms and brightened them up with a new mural designed by South Gloucestershire & Stroud College students, and the poolside has been cleared up ahead Everyone Active's scheduled major clean.

Once again, in addition to seven-day-a-week opening from noon until 7pm, there will be morning lane swim sessions on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7am to 9am.

As well as the twice-weekly morning lane swims there will be daily daytime lane sessions from noon to 1pm and 6pm to 7pm, with public sessions for all ages and abilities to enjoy the whole pool, available from 1.15pm to 3.15pm and 3.45pm to 5.45pm.

Jess McQuail , chair of the Friends Group, said: "We are very disappointed of course but understand that the pool must be safe for swimmers."

Stratford Park Outdoor Pool was opened in the summer of 1937. Although initially heated before World War II, the Lido is now a cold-water pool after the metal heating elements were dismantled for the war effort, and opens for around 100 days a year during the summer months.

A 2017 public consultation run by SDC, Stroud Town Council and The Friends tested a selection of names with the public. The most popular was 'Stratford Park Lido', which is how the pool has been referred to since then.

Customers and members can book online, via the Everyone Active App, over the phone or at the centre. Refreshments and snacks will be available to purchase on site.

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