Posted: 10/6/2004; 6:59:52 PM 
At long last --- 25-year lease for Brockwell Lido to be signed in early October!
The latest news from Lambeth Council and Fusion is that the 25-year lease of the Lido to Fusion is now nearing completion and is scheduled to be signed in early October. According to Peter Kay, Chief Executive of Fusion, the building work to enlarge and improve the buildings will take place over the winter and should be completed in time for the 2005 swimming season. Temporary accommodation on site will enable all classes to continue during the building work. Peter Kay has promised that a detailed schedule of building work and plans for classes will be available as soon as possible after the lease is signed.
This brings to an end the long period of consultation about the future of Brockwell Lido which began in autumn 2001. The current plans, which will involve an investment of over 2 million pounds in the Lido, were on view at a public consultation last October and received planning permission early in 2004. If you did not attend the public consultation you can see the outline plans on the BLU web site: www.brockwelllido.com.
More information about the building schedule will be available at our BLU AGM on Saturday, 16 October, 10 to 12 noon at the Lido - and about users' role in the future of the Lido.
What is happening at the Lido now?
Swimming to continue until September 30th Paddy Castledine reports that the pool and cafe will be open 10am to 6pm until September 30th so keep your fingers crossed for some more sunny September days.
Yoga, Tai Chi, African Drumming, Meditation, under-fives music workshops at the Lido !!!
If you are not aware of the excellent range of classes available at the Lido 7 days a week all year, have a look at the on-line yoga timetable: yoga.brockwelllido.com. This describes classes and gives contact numbers of individual teachers.
Whippersnappers have proposed a move to the changing room building next to the Lido. BLU supports this proposal in the interests of the park, Whippersnappers' users and Whippersnappers themselves.
What Next for BLU?
The signing of the 25 year lease for the Lido is not the end of our campaign to save the Lido but the beginning of the real challenge. The 25 year lease requires that the Lido be self-financing while remaining a public facility, accessible to the community. BLU's initial contacts with other Lidos indicated that this is not something easily achieved. However, BLU is convinced that if the enthusiasm and energy invested in preventing closure of the Lido are transferred to making the Lido thrive --- it will survive.
As a user you can make a difference by:
- Supporting Lido classes through the building period this winter: the future survival of the Lido depends on maintaining and increasing year-round classes and activities
- Maintaining and developing a strong user group: BLU has worked with the Lambeth Steering Group to obtain a clearly defined consultative role for users and local community organisations. This will involve election of a Lido Steering Group which will meet regularly with Fusion Management.
This Steering Group will be represented on the Fusion Management Board. There will be more about this at the BLU AGM on 16th October.
Lottery Bid for Brockwell Park
The Management Advisory Committee (MAC) for Brockwell Park is in the initial stages of putting together a lottery bid for the Park. There will be extensive consultation with the public. The bid will cover all aspects of the park including the Lido and the changing rooms. BLU is represented on the MAC. We will keep you informed about dates of future public meetings and other opportunities to have your say.
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