Work is set to start on the £6.8 million restoration of Grange Lido and Promenade.
Carlisle firm RH Irving Construction is the main contractor and work is due to get fully under way towards the end of next month.
The project will see the lido reopen to the public again with a temporary infill to the pool to create a new multi-use public space for the local community and visitors.
It is set to take 14 months to complete. Work on the new playpark on the promenade is scheduled to start in the late spring and be finished in the summer.
One of only four remaining listed coastal lidos in England, the lido was built in 1932 and remained open for 61 years until its closure in 1993 due to a combination of low usage and increasing costs. It is the earliest and most complete example of a 20th century listed seawater lido in England.
Janet Carter, chair of Save Grange Lido, said: “This is fantastic news. It’s been 30 years since this very special place was open to the public and we look forward to seeing the site transformed and brought back into use.
“Our vision would see Grange Lido become an inclusive health and wellness facility that benefits the whole community with a proud nod to its rich heritage and once again shine as the pearl of Morecambe Bay.”
South Lakeland District Council approved additional funding of £1,793,800 in November to ensure restoration work on Grange Lido and Promenade could start before the end of March, bringing the total cost of the project to £6.8m.
This is made up of £4.9m for the lido, and £1.6m for the promenade, partly made up of £1m from a £2.3m Coastal Communities Fund grant received jointly with Morecambe Bay Partnership to deliver a sustainable tourism programme around Morecambe Bay.
Jonathan Brook, leader of South Lakeland District Council, said: “This is a highly-complex project, which has taken many years to develop. There have been many challenges along the way and so we are excited to begin the work to repair and reimagine this much-loved and iconic structure, while also rejuvenating the promenade.
“Doing nothing was never an option, as failing to act, would leave future administrations liable for even greater costs. I am pleased that the new Westmorland and Furness Council will be taking this project forward.
“I am delighted that a Cumbrian-based firm of the calibre of RH Irving Construction Ltd will be delivering this important work and look forward to seeing the project take shape over the coming months.”
Mark Moodycliffe, managing director of RH Irving Construction, said: “As a Cumbrian-based company we are delighted and proud to have been appointed as main contractor for this important, prestigious and challenging project. We look forward to working in close partnership with the council, the local community and other stakeholders over the coming months and successfully delivering the works to the lido and promenade.”
Councillor Robin Ashcroft, portfolio holder for economy, culture and leisure, said: “This is immensely exciting for Grange, South Lakeland, Westmorland & Furness, Morecambe Bay and further much further afield. We look forward to seeing RH Irving Construction start work and make our dream of making the lido a useable space and revitalising the prom a reality.
“This work will go a long way in engendering an enhanced sense of place both for residents and visitors, but it will go far beyond being a local amenity or visitor attraction, to become a major asset to support our communities and economy in being an even more attractive location for future generations to live and work.
“This significant and unique asset has been closed for 30 years and we are delighted to be able to make this major financial commitment to have it open to the public again.”
The council continues to remain open to exploring long-term and sustainable offers for the operating of the site as a pool, it said.
Work on the lido will include an upgrade of the central and focal pavilion building to create flexible and adaptable space which will be an opportunity for a future partner to occupy and develop the lido for future alternative uses; creation of an accessible entrance design from the promenade; and, the insertion of a removable landscape intervention within the former pool area.
Male and female changing rooms will be mothballed internally for refurbishment at a later stage, although will benefit from stabilisation work.
The concrete terracing around the perimeter of the pool, plus the diving board, will be repaired and then people will have full access to seating terraces overlooking the pool.
Following these construction activities, members of the public will have full access to the seating terraces that overlook the central pool space. The site will be fully secured at night via a sympathetic approach to reinstating the original red brick walls and gate running parallel with the promenade.
A new sub-station will be located to the land next to the lido entrance, providing electrical supply and fibre/telecom connection.
Work on the 1,900m promenade will include the removal of unstable sections of the sea defence wall; the application of a durable coating to the upper surface of the promenade; and, a combination of pre-cast and in situ concrete repairs to the upper edge “bull nose” and sea-facing elevation of the sea wall.
The work also includes connectivity work to link the promenade to the town; public realm furniture; signs; improvements to railings; and a new child’s playground area.
