By Carmelo Garcia – Local Democracy Reporter
The future of the historic Stratford Park Lido is reaching a critical crossroads after almost a decade of debates, surveys, and huge cost hikes.
Here is how Stroud District Council got to the current situation with the much-loved open air swimming pool which first opened its doors to the public in 1937 :
The early warning signs (2017 – 2020)
In 2017, a feasibility study warned that doing nothing was a “genuine option” but carried significant risks due to the pool’s crumbling infrastructure. By 2020, specialists at Tricolor drew up a huge two-phase project totaling £7.3 million, which included a new café and splash pad to modernize the site.
Insourcing and initial investment (2023 – July 2024)
As Stroud District Council prepared to bring leisure services back in-house, a £830,000 investment was approved in July 2024 to tackle “essential” repairs. This funding was intended to fix the crumbling pool tank and replace ageing plant machinery to prevent a permanent closure.
The budget bombshell (Early 2025)
The project hit a major wall in April 2025 when new surveys revealed that 90-year-old cast iron pipes were degrading and root-damaged. Revised estimates saw the cost jump 124% to £1.859 million, leading the council to “hard pause” the project while they scrambled to find an extra £1 million.
Exploring all avenues (May – December 2025)
Council leaders debated whether to terminate the project entirely, proceed with a massive budget increase, or seek transformational changes. During this time, the scope expanded to look at the wider “Active Lifestyles Stroud” site, including ideas for padel tennis, soft play, and even solar canopies over the car park.
Community consultation and crisis (January – March 2026)
A major public consultation was launched in early 2026 to gauge how residents actually use the park and what they are willing to trade off for its survival. However, by February 2026, “crisis comms” meetings were being held as the reality of the financial burden set in.
The final recommendation (March 2026)
The Friends of the Lido were briefed on March 9 of a recommendation to close the pool. By March 19, the strategic director of communities confirmed the lido would not open for the 2026 season, pending even more surveys.
Ultimate decision
Councillors are due to scrutinise the options for the lido at a meeting on April 17 before full council is expected to make the final decision on the site’s future April 30.
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