For most of us, a dip in the lido is reserved for only the most sweltering summer days. But there are people out there who enjoy diving into cold waters year-round, no matter the weather. And we’ve got some good news for those brave folk – one of the UK’s oldest lidos (which right now is only open from May to September) could soon be open year-round.
Guildford Lido, which recently got a fresh new look, is coming under new management. The lido’s current contract, which also oversees management and delivery of Guildford Spectrum and Ash Manor sports Centre expires on October 31 this year. So, Guildford Council has been busy trying to secure a new operator ready for November 1.
Bidders were invited to outline how they would invest in the venue and the council enlisted the help of internal specialists and external industry experts to judge each one based on transparency, value for money and whether they would continue to offer high-quality leisure services. It said that ‘following a thorough commercial and technical evaluation, Freedom Leisure scored the highest total score and has therefore emerged as the preferred bidder’.
Freedom Leisure, which already runs more than 130 sites across the UK, has proposed £9.98m worth of investment if it was to secure the contract for all three venues. It wants to introduce a new reformer pilates and yoga studio to replace the lido’s existing gym, install a sauna cabin and therapy dip pools and set up floodlights that’ll keep the lido lit for swimming through the darker winter months.
The last time people could swim in Guildford Lido throughout the year was in 2020. Freedom Leisure wants to bring that back and proposes that the pool could open from 7am to 9pm during winter, subject to floodlights being put up. While it’s heated during the summer, it wouldn’t be during winter.
Beyond changes to the lido, Freedom Leisure says it would also build a new soft play area, three new floodlit Padel courts and a new interactive water splash pad and play area within the Spectrum Leisure pool.
Catherine Houston, lead councillor for climate change and leisure said: ‘I am delighted by the outcome of the extremely comprehensive procurement process we have undertaken. As a Council, we remain firmly committed to delivering excellent leisure facilities for our residents.
‘This proposed contract builds on the existing leisure offer in the borough and I look forward to seeing more opportunities for people to take part in leisure and well-being activities over the coming years.’
A final decision on the lido’s new management is expected from the council on Tuesday, July 29. Once signed, the new contract will run for 10 years, with the option to extend for a further five.
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