A UK lido has been given a huge boost following a new £300,000 funding drive. Sandford Lido in Cheltenham dates back 89 years, having opened in the 1930s. Now Grade II listed, the outdoor swimming pool , has been granted the £300k funding as part of the £80million government package to improve energy efficiency at pools.
Cheltenham Borough Council finance and assets cabinet member, Alisha Lewis said: "It’s absolutely essential that this money is pumped into the lido at this time because it is what is going to be able to keep their doors open and keep the building running. "Sandford Park Lido is a spectacular site right in the heart of our town and it, like every other swimming pool in the country, is facing significant budgetary pressures because the cost of everything is going up, particularly energy." The lido's main attraction is its 50m outdoor swimming pool , which is heated.
Having opened for the season back in May, it is open to the public casual swimming as well as other activities. This includes everything from lifeguard training and swimming lessons to sunset swims and charity triathlons. Other big events include the British Water Polo Championships taking place in September as well as the World's Biggest Aqua Class next month.
There is also a kid's pool inside, which is is booked separately. Fancy it all to yourself? You can rent it for private parties, which costs £105 for up to 30 kids. But it's not just the main pool that attracts both locals and tourists.
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