London Fields Lido repairs and improvements postponed
It was announced last month that London Fields Lido was set to close for urgent repairs and that improvements to the reception and changing facilities would also be carried out whilst the Lido was closed.
The intention was to close the Lido towards the end of November 2016, once a suitable tiling specialist had been appointed. However, despite a comprehensive tendering process, a contractor capable of delivering the high standard of work required did not come forward. The Council has therefore decided to put both the tiling and refurbishment work on hold to undertake further consultation on the layout of changing rooms at the Lido and to allow time for the appointment of a suitable contractor for the tiling works.
Some users were concerned about the proposal to convert the current changing rooms into a “changing village” with private cubicles. Female Lido users, in particular, noted a preference for gender-segregated facilities. With this in mind, I have asked the architects to develop a new design that maintains separate male and female changing areas, but also significantly improves current facilities through the inclusion of lockers, individual shower and changing cubicles, and group changing areas for families. Once the revised design has been developed, we will provide members with a copy of the scheme and an opportunity to provide feedback any final comments. Following this process, we will be able appoint a contractor and announce a start-date for the proposed works.
We also received some other useful suggestions from users, including providing more outdoor showers, a poolside sauna, and the use of solar panels to provide heating for the Lido. Given the complexity and planning requirements of a sauna and renewable energy at the Lido, we will explore these proposals as part of future works. We are, however, delighted to announce that we will be delivering the additional outdoor showers requested as part of the current refurbishment works.
The Lido will remain open and GLL will continue to monitor the condition of the pool tank and walls and undertake any necessary works, where feasible, to stabilise areas that may be at risk of failure. Further tile failures throughout the pool tank during the colder winter months could, however, result in the Lido having to be closed at short notice.
Any members who have already frozen or suspended their Lido membership and would like to reactivate it until the closure period has been confirmed should contact Nicola Flaherty (General Manager) - Nicola.flaherty@gll.org.