Peterborough Lido to open for Easter fun

Peterborough Lido will open its doors to swimmers from Monday, March 29.
The LidoThe Lido
The Lido

The iconic venue was closed all last year due to the pandemic - but will be open for spring swimming this year.

The latest government announcement regarding the gradual easing of restrictions means that outdoor swimming is permitted from the 29 March, it is one of only a few organised activities that can be enjoyed and the Lido will be ready for the start of the Easter holidays.

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The pools will be heated to a balmy 26 degrees and the main 50m pool will be open for both lane and open swimming, perfect for families and the many residents who are missing the opportunity to get back to their regular swimming routines.

Work has been ongoing to re-open the Lido later this monthWork has been ongoing to re-open the Lido later this month
Work has been ongoing to re-open the Lido later this month

The number of bathers allowed will be less than usual and swimming sessions will need to be booked online to ensure the guidance put in place is followed.

The team from Vivacity, now managed by Peterborough Limited, have worked throughout the freezing cold January and February temperatures to put the love into the Lido and ensure it is at its glorious best.

Managing Director, Kitran Eastman told us: “The pools are now full, the heating is on, lifeguards are ready and we are more excited than ever to open the gates. We normally prepare for a May opening but we felt this year we should be ready to open early if the easing of restrictions allowed and we are so glad we did. Preparing the venue, filling the pools and servicing plant and equipment takes around 10 weeks in total so the snow was falling and it was minus 2 when we turned the taps on! We have taken the decision to increase the pool temperature so that bathers young and old can enjoy the pool comfortably.

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"For now, we are operating timed swimming sessions to safely manage numbers and keep our customers safe, this approach has previously worked really well at our indoor pools. A family trip to the Lido will be a must-do activity to come and enjoy over the Easter period and beyond”.

The opening is fully supported by Peterborough City Council, Councillor Steve Allen, Cabinet Member for Housing, Culture and Recreation who said; “as a city we are so fortunate to have such a magnificent lido. We are delighted that Peterborough Limited have got the facility ready in perfect time, as restrictions on outdoor activities are scheduled to be eased.

"Heating the pool means that whatever the Easter break brings us weather-wise, swimmers can enjoy our fabulous Lido once again”.

There can be no more enthusiastic supporters of Peterborough’s lido than members of its Friends’ Group, who are absolutely delighted to start dreaming about the prospect of swimming there again in only a few weeks’ time.

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Janet Martin, Chair of Friends of Peterborough Lido said: “Last year was a difficult one – not only because of lockdown restrictions that prevented any swimming, but also due to concern about the future of our beloved lido. We cannot praise enough the efforts of former Vivacity staff, the City Council, and the new managing organisation Peterborough Limited, for all the hard work and energy they have put in to ensure that not only are we are able to open this year, but to open well ahead of the schedule we had all anticipated.

"We are tremendously reassured by this effort that the long-term future of our lido is looking bright under its new management team.

"We are also delighted at the enthusiasm shown towards the Friends by Peterborough Limited, who have demonstrated their willingness to work in partnership with us.

Swimmers will be able to book online from 22nd March.