Hilsea Lido
Encyclopedia
Hilsea Lido is a fresh water lido at Hilsea
, Portsmouth. The lido is undergoing refurbishment and plans to re-open in 2011.
Though closed throughout 2009 and 2010 due to refurbishment work, the Main Pool is normally a venue for a number of sporting activities such as Water Polo
, diving championships, as well as swimming.
The Splash (paddling) Pool is surrounded by green space and located next to the children's playground, but Portsmouth City Council are proposing replacing it with a water play area (similar to the one near Blue Reef Aquarium in Southsea
).
The lido is managed by a voluntary group of local residents, the HLPP Trust, under license from Portsmouth City Council.
The site of the lido is connected to Alexandra Park
via the Stamshaw Esplanade
.
In 2006 plans for refurbishing the lido were abandoned by the Council, however extended campaigning by residents continued and in 2009 a management trust had been established, now a registered charity. In 2010 Hilsea Lido Pool for the People acquired the lido and adjoining Blue Lagoon building on a 99 year lease Portsmouth City Council. It is currently undergoing refurbishment and plans to open in 2011.
The lido was open for viewing on 19 September 2009 for the Heritage Open Days.
In the winter of 2010/11 the splash pool was damaged by freezing conditions. In April 2011 Portsmouth City Council decided to replace the pool with a new design featuring two pools.
Hilsea
Hilsea is a district of the city of Portsmouth in the English county of Hampshire. Hilsea is home to one of Portsmouth's main sports and leisure facilities - the Mountbatten centre. The City of Portsmouth Boys' School is also in Hilsea...
, Portsmouth. The lido is undergoing refurbishment and plans to re-open in 2011.
Description
The Hilsea Lido is a leisure facility featuring a Main Pool (measuring 67m x 18m - 4.6m deep) and a large Splash Pool (45m x 18m x 6ins deep) designed for younger swimmers. At 4.6 metres (15 feet) deep, the lido has the distinction of being the deepest outdoor pool in the UK apart from Broomhill Pool which is the same depth.Though closed throughout 2009 and 2010 due to refurbishment work, the Main Pool is normally a venue for a number of sporting activities such as Water Polo
Water polo
Water polo is a team water sport. The playing team consists of six field players and one goalkeeper. The winner of the game is the team that scores more goals. Game play involves swimming, treading water , players passing the ball while being defended by opponents, and scoring by throwing into a...
, diving championships, as well as swimming.
The Splash (paddling) Pool is surrounded by green space and located next to the children's playground, but Portsmouth City Council are proposing replacing it with a water play area (similar to the one near Blue Reef Aquarium in Southsea
Southsea
Southsea is a seaside resort located in Portsmouth at the southern end of Portsea Island in the county of Hampshire in England. Southsea is within a mile of Portsmouth's city centre....
).
The lido is managed by a voluntary group of local residents, the HLPP Trust, under license from Portsmouth City Council.
The site of the lido is connected to Alexandra Park
Alexandra Park, Portsmouth
Alexandra Park, Portsmouth, was opened in 1907 and was a place of recreation for the people of Portsea Island. It provided lawns, flowers beds, paths and seats; it was an area to escape the toils of inner city life in the early twentieth century. The park was named after Queen Alexandra...
via the Stamshaw Esplanade
Esplanade
An esplanade is a long, open, level area, usually next to a river or large body of water, where people may walk. The original meaning of esplanade was a large, open, level area outside fortress or city walls to provide clear fields of fire for the fortress' guns...
.
History
Plans for development of the lido were agreed in 1932 and the lido opened on 24 July 1935. The architect for the lido was Joseph Parkin. The pool originally used seawater, converting later to freshwater, and the lido design included two large fountains which have been retained but are no longer used. The Main Pool and changing facilities were designed for the use of 768 adults and 180 children with accommodation for around 1000 spectators. During World War 2 the main pool was closed to the general public and was given over to the use of the various military units in the area. Between 1946 and 1951 a miniature railway ran along the lido site.In 2006 plans for refurbishing the lido were abandoned by the Council, however extended campaigning by residents continued and in 2009 a management trust had been established, now a registered charity. In 2010 Hilsea Lido Pool for the People acquired the lido and adjoining Blue Lagoon building on a 99 year lease Portsmouth City Council. It is currently undergoing refurbishment and plans to open in 2011.
The lido was open for viewing on 19 September 2009 for the Heritage Open Days.
In the winter of 2010/11 the splash pool was damaged by freezing conditions. In April 2011 Portsmouth City Council decided to replace the pool with a new design featuring two pools.