Home Folkestone News Article
Positive reaction to lido idea as suggestion of new open-air swimming pool in Folkestone praised
11:33, 26 March 2021
updated: 12:48, 26 March 2021
A suggestion for a new open-air swimming pool in Folkestone has been met with praise.
The proposal for the lido was sent to Go Folkestone, a group set up to lead "positive change in the local area", and then posted on its Facebook page.
It reads: "A large recreational pool of competition size would be of benefit to the town, both in communal health provision and outdoor social meeting and, if designed to appeal to youth would prove a magnet."
The post adds that advantages of outdoor pools include fewer construction concerns, a ready supply of seawater and that an eco-friendly energy supply could heat the water.
The post continues: "Because the lido is such a simple structure its expense is very low for the joy it gives to so many swimmers.
"A spectacular new design is called for and original technological help needed to render this project quite different from all that has gone before.
"A radical vision for our times is sought."
The proposer says his preferred location would be "on the pebble foreshore in front of the Grand Burstin Hotel near to the car park at Harbour Arm".
He says the pool should also include "a really good restaurant, exercise equipment, children’s play park and paddling pool, even a climbing wall and zipwire" plus lounge chairs and games.
The online post has received more than 100 comments and more than 200 reactions.
One comment reads: "This would be absolutely fantastic and a real benefit to the people off our town."
Another said: "Brilliant idea. We used to have an outdoor pool down Rotunda, it was very popular... loved going down there."
A third reads: "Cried when they filled our original one - loved going there - it was an Olympic-sized pool and many a competition was held there - I'm all for it."
Folkestone's original lido was built in 1938 and was next to the Rotunda funfair.
Although right next to the sea, the water was fresh and well chlorinated.
Swimmers will remember having to walk through a tray of disinfectant when they came out of the changing rooms.
It was filled-in in the early 1980s.
"An idea like this would encourage people to make their holiday base in Folkestone, being by the sea while visiting London, Canterbury and France."
The space became a car park and the site of the Folkestone Market on Sundays until it moved up into Sandgate Road.
Seafront homes are now being created on the beach.
Richard Wallace, chair of Go Folkestone, said members were excited by the suggestion of a new open air pool.
He said: "We are excited by the lido idea which was sent in to our Facebook.
"Go Folkestone has strongly pushed the continuing relevance of Folkestone as a modern seaside resort appealing to both traditionalists and DFLs, pushing it in the current Folkestone Place Plan consultation.
"Extra seaside facilities benefit both local people and the tourist and hotel trade and potentially make the difference for pressured shops and cafes needing that little bit more business.
"An idea like this would encourage people to make their holiday base in Folkestone, being by the sea while visiting London, Canterbury and France."
