1937
The lido opens
1942
Heating removed
Heating is removed for the war effort – pool has stayed unheated ever since
1970s
Stroud District Council takes on the lido
| Stroud District Council takes responsibility for the lido. The leisure centre is built next door, and pool become known as ‘the outdoor pool’. |
Circa 2001
Lido management outsourced
Reponsibility for lido management is given to a series of private companies, but the responsibility for preventative maintenance and repair remains with SDC
2015
Friends of Stratford Park Lido formed
Friends of Stratford Park Lido (FoSPL) is set up as an unincorporated community group, with the support of some SDC officers and councillors
May-November 2017
Public consultation and feasibility study
Grants of £10,000 from the National Lottery and £2,248 from Stroud Town Council fund a first step feasibility study for the outdoor pool, organised by FoSPL. 2000 people respond to a survey. Sources: Outdoor Swimming Society and Tricolour. Consultation site (now expired) here.
2018
Diving board listed
The lidos diving board is awarded Grade II listed status by Historic England, in an active collaboration between FoSPL and SDC officers
2018
Condition survey
A condition survey of the lido is written to feed into the SDC 2018-2022 Corporate Delivery Plan
2019
SDC needs assessment published
A needs assessment for Stroud’s sports facilities is written to inform the Local Plan. The groundwork for a capital bid is laid, but the bid is never made. SDC Report.
2019
Consultants commissioned
SDC commissions Tricolour consultants and FoSPL to run online webinars about the future of the lido, to feed into a business plan. COVID hits pre-publication, and the business plan is never published.
2020
Lido closes due to COVID
2021
SDC publish leisure strategy
Details proposed improvements for Stratford Park Lido, including a heated outdoor pool. It highlights the lido’s role in holistic community wellbeing. SDC report
January 15, 2024
Project Launch
Update from Angela Gillingham which itemises the upsides and downsides of the pool.