PARTIES involved in the much-anticipated Grange Lido and Promenade restoration came together to mark the imminent start of the work.
Representatives from South Lakeland District Council (SLDC), contractor RH Irving Construction and Save Grange Lido Community Benefit Society (SGL), as well as Grange Town Council and the incoming Westmorland and Furness Council, met at the lido to look forward to work starting in the coming weeks.
Preparatory work starts today (Monday, March 20) before contractors RH Irving Construction come on site from April 24.
Councillor Jonathan Brook, leader of SLDC and the incoming Westmorland and Furness Council, said:
"I am delighted we are at this stage of being on the cusp of starting work on the lido and promenade refurbishment.
"Looking around the lido, I can't wait to see this project take shape, creating a fantastic public space which retains the option of reinstating the pool easily in the future."
SLDC approved additional funding of £1,793,800 in November to ensure restoration work on Grange Lido and Promenade could start before the end of March, bringing the total cost of the project to £6.8m.
This includes £4.9m for the lido, and £1.6m for the promenade, with the whole project set to take 14 months to complete.
SLDC remains open to exploring long-term and sustainable offers for the operation of the site as a pool.
While work is undertaken, SGL will continue securing £4.5 million for phase two – the reopening of the pool as a leisure, heritage, and tourism destination.
READ MORE: Work set to commence on restoring historic swimming pool
The pool would be temporarily infilled to a level with a removable granular material, suitable for future recycling.
This will allow for reinstatement should SGL fulfil its ambitions, and create a usable and attractive public space for the benefit of the community in the meantime.
Councillor Robin Ashcroft, Portfolio Holder for Economy, Culture and Leisure, said:
"Making the lido a useable space and revitalising the promenade is immensely exciting for Grange, South Lakeland, Westmorland and Furness, Morecambe Bay, and further much further afield.
"The lido and prom together will become a major asset to support our communities and economy in being an even more attractive location for future generations to live and work.
"This significant and unique asset has been closed for 30 years and we are delighted to be able to make this major financial commitment to have it open to the public again."
Work on the lido will include an upgrade of the central and focal pavilion building to create flexible and adaptable space which will be an opportunity for a future partner to occupy and develop the lido for future alternative uses.
An accessible entrance design from the promenade will be created.
The male and female changing accommodation will be mothballed internally for refurbishment at a later stage, although will benefit from stabilisation works including the roof and terraces, security, cleaning, and external decoration.
Significant structural and architectural works will repair the concrete terracing around the perimeter of the pool, including strategic concrete repairs to the diving board structure.
Following these construction activities, members of the public will have full access to the seating terraces that overlook the central pool space.
The work also includes connectivity works to link the promenade to the town, public realm furniture, signage, improvements to railings, and the new playground area.
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