Peterborough Lido could stay open all year and Ping Pong Parlour suggested for city shopping centre

The Lido in Peterborough could remain open all year under proposals being pursued by leading figures in the city.
The Lido will re-open for the 2021 seasonThe Lido will re-open for the 2021 season
The Lido will re-open for the 2021 season

The outdoor pool in Bishop’s Road transferred from trust Vivacity to city council-run Peterborough Limited recently due to the financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

And both Peterborough Limited and senior council officers have expressed an “aspiration and ambition” to keep the pool open 12 months a year through new commercial ventures.

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Traditionally the pool - which did not open this year due to the pandemic - is open only from May until September.

But speaking to the council’s Adults and Communities Scrutiny Committee, Adrian Chapman, service director for communities and partnerships, told members: “We’ve already confirmed it will re-open for the 20/21 season. It traditionally opens for just a short season, but actually both Cllr Allen and I, and certainly Peterborough Limited, have an aspiration to try our best to attract investment to create more of an all-year round facility there.

“It’s an incredible jewel in our crown in Peterborough, it’s much loved, and if we can convert that to a more effective, all year-round use, I think that would be a great asset for our city.

“We don’t quite know what or how yet, but the aspiration is there. And I think if you’ve got aspiration and ambition that’s half the battle.”

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Cabinet member for housing, culture and recreation Cllr Steve Allen added: “Bigger and better is the philosophy for the Lido. There is a lot of commercial potential there. We need to get it open next year.

“It’s a great sadness to me that it didn’t open this year, but again it’s a Covid casualty.

“It’s fabulous, it’s a heritage asset for the city which we must use for the city’s advantage.”

The Lido loses money during most seasons, and Cllr Allen said that the local authority must “explore every commercial potential” going forward.

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Plans to enhance Bretton Water Park are also being discussed to make it an all-day venue for residents. Ideas so far include offering food and drink and installing picnic tables.

Other leisure developments in Peterborough, according to a council report, include:

. Specialist consultants are to be appointed to carry out a feasibility study for a new leisure centre in Werrington.

The Peterborough Telegraph has previously revealed that Peterborough City Council is proposing a six to eight lane 25m pool to be based in a new two storey leisure building near the existing Werrington Leisure Centre.

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The centre would include: an indoor sports hall; indoor sports courts; a fitness area containing a minimum of 120 stations and two studios; a public library; a café/reception; a floodlit, full size 3G football pitch and a new car park.

It had been suggested the skate park in Werrington is an option for the new complex which is expected to cost £14 million.

. Table Tennis England and Viridor have granted Living Sport and the council £20,000 (£10,000 each) for new outdoor table tennis tables to be put up across the city.

Installation is due to take place in March 2021 which will see at least six tables installed in rural areas.

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Additionally, Table Tennis England is “keen to see the development of a Ping Pong Parlour in Serpentine Green or Queensgate, similar to those that exist in Cambridge and many other busy developing city centres nationally.

“This service would offer free activity to residents in a safe environment and promote social interaction using table tennis as the catalyst.”

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