Petition to Reinstate Year-Round Swimming at Guildford Lido

We, the undersigned, respectfully request Guildford Borough Council and Freedom Leisure to reinstate the 'off-season' (autumn through to spring) swimming programme at Guildford Lido. This popular and valuable service has been a part of our community since 2014, and its absence is deeply felt. We acknowledge that the timetable may need to work around the installation of covers and boilers.

Reasons for Reinstatement

Health Benefits:

Year-round outdoor swimming offers significant physical and mental health benefits, which are particularly crucial during the winter months. The social aspects of ‘off-season’ swimming at the Lido have been invaluable to many in our community.

Proven Popularity:

The ‘off-season’ swimming programme has demonstrated its viability and popularity since its inception in 2014. The demand for this service was clearly evidenced when the Lido reopened in March 2021, after its closure due to Covid, attracting over 2,000 bookings within days.

Unique Training Opportunities:

Guildford Lido attracts long-distance and Channel swimmers throughout the winter, offering a unique opportunity to build cold water tolerance. Unlike other facilities, Guildford Lido provides the ability to "take the chill off," making it an invaluable resource for open-water swim training.

Investment in Upgrades:

After closing for the last two seasons to rebuild the changing facilities and drainage, it seems even more wasteful not to offer a year round programme.

Service Provision Objectives:

An off-season swimming programme would align with and support multiple strategic objectives:

A      It would cover many aspects of Guildford Borough Council's Health and Wellbeing Strategy.

B      The programme would support the objectives outlined in the Leisure Partnership Agreement (LPA).

C      Year-round swimming aligns with Freedom Leisure's mission statement of 'Improving Lives through Leisure'.

Our Request

We petition Guildford Borough Council, in partnership with Freedom Leisure, to:

1       Restore a programme of year-round swimming at Guildford Lido for the remainder of the current contract (until 31st October 2025).

2       Include year-round swimming in the contract going forward from November 2025.

By reinstating year-round swimming, Guildford Lido can continue to serve as a vital community asset, promoting health, well-being, and athletic achievement throughout all seasons, while also meeting important strategic objectives for both the council and its leisure partners.