Plans for lido upgrade are revealed
By Charlotte Lillywhite, Local Democracy Reporter
Plans to transform a lido with a new café, entrance, toilets, showers and changing facilities have been revealed.
The South London Swimming Club (SLSC) has put forward proposals to upgrade “tired” facilities at Tooting Bec Lido after consulting with residents.
Working with WR-AP Architects on plans to improve facilities at the shallow end of the open-air pool, the swimming club has drawn up final plans and an application is expected to be submitted to Wandsworth council in the coming weeks.
If this is approved, the club will look for funding to carry out the works.
The plans include building a new entrance to the lido with a reception, toilets, security accommodation and a café.
The café would serve customers through two kiosk hatches – one facing Tooting Common and the other facing the pool.
The existing café would be revamped, subject to building surveys, to become a shelter in summer and clubroom in winter. Shower blocks would also be built on both sides of the building.
Showers and family-changing facilities would be built around the pool’s edge, while toilets would be installed to the north of the site.
If approved, the upgrade would come in addition to the council’s ongoing £3.8million revamp of the lido to protect the venue’s future for the next 50 years.
The works include replacing the pump house and building a new electrical substation to power the pumps, installing a new pipework and filtration system, UV water purification system, pool liner and improved landscaping around the pool’s edge.
A statement on SLSC’s website said: “Work on the changes will not start until after the refurbishment, for which the lido is currently closed.
“We are confident that it will be possible to phase the shallow-end work in such a way that there is no need to close the lido again.”
A document from the club on the plans added that existing facilities at the lido are “tired, with insufficient facilities for busy days at the pool”.
SLSC and WR-AP Architects have been contacted for comment.
Pictured top: Tooting Bec Lido (Picture: Wandsworth council)