Like the idea of wild swimming, but not so keen on the prospect of swallowing some dumped sewage? Tend to leap out of your skin if some seaweed so much as grazes your leg? A lido might be your vibe instead.
At this point we’ve all had our ears bitten off about the benefits of swimming in the fresh air. Lakes and rivers aren’t for everyone but you can still enjoy the perks in a nice and chemically-treated outdoor pool. And now, a load of old lidos are being revived thanks to the trend.
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Among them is the lido at Hull’s Albert Avenue Pools. The original pool closed more than three decades years ago but is getting a major facelift to return it to its former glory. The water will be heated (sorry, Wim Hof) and there will be grassy areas for picnics and revamped surfaces at the side of the pool. The even better news is that Hull’s bathers don’t have long to wait, as the facility is scheduled to reopen this summer.
The makeover is part of a £10.5 million overhaul of the adjacent sports centre, which is set to include a swanky new fitness studio and two revamped indoor pools.
A spokesperson for Hull city council said: ‘It is fantastic to see this important project getting under way so quickly and it is going to be a massive asset for the area.
‘Facilities like lidos are often something people think are the preserve of the middle class, this area has 60 percent of homes that are technically classed as being within a deprivation category.
‘People in west Hull will have a fantastic international standard facility on their doorstep. Once the project is completed, it will be a short walk or short bus ride for so many families.’
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