*** NEWS FLASH In addition to what is pledged here we have achieved 20% of our funding through direct donations and are on our way - please pledge today and lets make a big splash NEWSFLASH ***
The story
Otley swimming pool was opened in 1924 and was widely used by the local community and encouraged people to travel into the town. There are many anecdotal tales of people spending all their summers at the pool despite the temperature of the cold waters or the weather.
It closed in 1993 and now stands scruffy and derelict in the otherwise attractive riverside park that has a large play area for children which is widely used. Friends of Otley Lido plan to reopen the pool, offering an amazing year round heated open air facility, to become the focal heart of the wider community. We will also provide free toilets for the park users. Currently the nearest toilet facilities are 1 mile away in the town centre.
January 2017 saw the corner of the roof (in the picture) virtually demolished by a falling tree. It now stands open to the elements, is becoming a target for vandelism and a further eye sore on the edge of a conservation area.
Who we are
In February 2016 Friends of Otley Lido became a Community Interest Company. We are group of local enthusiastic residents and are passionate and keen to regenerate the former swimming pool to become Otley Lido, and also offer other leisure related facilities i.e. a gym, restaurant / cafe and studio spaces for yoga and dance activities etc and community events. The 30m pool will be heated and open all year, with a retractable roof, there will be sun bathing areas, a small paddling pool and a glass wall that will look out over the River Wharfe where salmon can now be seen leaping the weir.
We need your help to achieve our vision for Wharfedale’s greatest leisure facility including:
A pool heated by green technology
Outdoor to indoor pool with retractable roof
Free public toilet facilities for the park
High quality leisure facilities accessible to all
Opportunity for everyone to improve health, fitness & wellbeing
A sustainable community owned and run facility with a 125 year free lease from Leeds City Council who are fully supportive of the project as are Otley town council and MP's.
To get the project off the ground we need to finance a number of studies on the site to enable us to apply to the larger funding organisations. All funds raised will go towards paying for these studies/surveys to be carried out, please give as generously as you are able. A breakdown of the requirements is detailed below:
- Architectural drawings of what the Lido will look like ready for formal submission as part of any planning application
- Assessment of flooding risk
- Assessment on how to best manage any potential flood waters
- Assessment of the impact on traffic in the area
- Assessment and reports on the flora / fauna / wildlife / general environment
- Assessment and report on 'Green' energy usage
- Assessment of the project management
- Assessment of the structural design and build
- Assessment of pool options
- Site appraisals and clearance
- Geotechnical study
- Assessment of contaminates
- Development of business plan
- Assessment and report on potential corporate / national funding channels to raise money to build the pool.
We hope you like what we’ve done so far?
Held public meetings to work out a way forward.
Formed an organised group and started working on an action plan.
Retained the site as a community asset.
Established a Community Interest Company (CIC).
Secured the site after the floods knocked the wall down.
Collected people’s tales and memories of the pool.
Created partnerships with professionals offering their expertise pro bono.
Engaged an architect to develop ideas to get your views on.
Improved the look of the site and riverside with attractive hoardings - http://www.otleylido.com
Aviva Community Fund Finalist
The New Year's Day Memorial Swim 2017, saw a 75% increase in participants this year because they were keen to support the Lido - https://vimeo.com/197702772
We would be happy for you to leave an anonymous Pledge rather than choose a reward so that all funds raised help us reach our target.
Thank you for your enthusiasm and support that you've given Friends of Otley Lido