Lymington lido may not open for summer (From Daily Echo)

Lymington lido may not open for summer

6:20pm Wednesday 24th June 2009

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THERE are no guarantees that one of the oldest outdoor swimming baths in the country will open at all this summer, it has emerged.

Lymington’s seawater lido was closed on health and safety grounds, which included a dangerous handrail and boards missing in the fence, as reported by the Daily Echo.

Now a committee will be launched in a bid to open the baths in time for the school summer holidays.

The idea was put forward by mayor Cllr Jan Hawker at the end of a stormy meeting of the town council amenities committee.

Members will include Cynthia Covey, who has been raising a petition to get the pool opened this year, and Mary Smith, who needs to swim to help her control multiple sclerosis.

Mrs Covey implored the council to reopen it this summer. Mrs Smith said the number of people backing the re-opening of the open air baths had risen to 344.

The meeting heard that the pool made a loss of between £45,000 and £50,000 last year – a £10 subsidy for every swim taken.

The accident book was filled with “page after page of people who had cut their feet or stubbed their toes on various sharp edges,’’ it was said.

Committee chairman Cllr Paul Hickman said he was committed to the future of the baths but warned there was no guarantee it would open this summer.

It is understood the rowing club wanted to move to the swimming baths and there was a possibility the sailing club could use it as a dinghy park during the winter.

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