Stroud District Council has published a third detailed update on progress to reopen Stratford Park Lido, ahead of an extraordinary meeting of its Strategy and Resources Committee next week.
The update, which is now available to view on the Council’s dedicated Lido webpages, sets out the latest position on repair works and the proposed timeline for reopening the 90-year-old facility.
Councillors will meet on Wednesday 3 June to consider the next steps for the project, including whether to approve additional funding to complete essential works on the 90‑year‑old facility.
Based on the latest contractor programme, all works are currently scheduled to be completed with the Lido reopening on 14 August 2026, with the potential for an earlier opening date of 29 July if works progress smoothly.
These dates are not guaranteed and remain subject to:
- No additional works being identified beyond those already known.
- Approval of additional funding by the Strategy and Resources Committee.
Preliminary works are already underway on site at risk, ahead of the committee decision, to minimise delays.
Council Leader, Cllr Chloe Turner, said: “We know how important the Lido is to our residents and how much people want to see it open again.
“This latest update provides a clear picture of the work required and the timeline we are working to. The extraordinary meeting gives councillors the opportunity to carefully consider the options and make a decision as quickly as possible.
“This approach ensures proper democratic oversight while giving the project the best possible chance of success.
“I am grateful to council officers, local councillors and volunteers from the community for doing everything they can to help achieve an opening for this summer.”
So far the committee has set aside £200,000 of revenue budget for repair and maintenance works. However further detailed work has enabled the development of a comprehensive and robust cost plan, which identifies that the total estimated cost of the works needed to enable the reopening of Stratford Park Lido is £476,000.
Next Wednesday (June 3) the committee will be asked to resolve to approve an extra allocation of £276,000 for works expected to support operation during the summer of 2026 and the 2027 season.
“This will put us and the community in a good place to explore the future ownership and operation of the pool,” added Cllr Turner.
The £476,000 of revenue budget is separate to a budget to borrow £900,000 for capital works – if agreed, these funds would be used for major improvements at the Lido.
Alongside the construction preparation, work is already underway to ensure the Lido can operate safely once open. A free National Pool Lifeguard Qualification (NPLQ) course has been organised at Active Lifestyles Dursley from 13 to 18 July.
The course is designed to:
- Support the recruitment of lifeguards for the Lido reopening.
- Provide additional casual cover across all three council pools.
This forms part of the Council’s broader efforts to ensure staffing is in place for opening and ongoing operations.
Read the report to Strategy and Resources Committee.
The Council’s constitution does not allow for motions, public or councillor questions, but focuses on the reason for calling the extraordinary meeting. Members of the public will be welcome as usual to observe elected councillors discuss the agenda item, either in-person at the council’s Ebley Mill headquarters, or via an online video link.
The latest fortnightly update can be read on the Lido FAQs page.
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