The Lido still remains the last remaining public Lido in Leicestershire (well it is our very own Ashby-by-the-Sea!!!).

JUNE 2024

Ashby’s Outdoor Swimming Pool

Over the decades Hood Parks unique Outdoor swimming Pool has been described by many local people as the Jewel in the Town. Many happy memories have been made there and countless children have learned to swim in the great outdoors.

In 1927 Sir Joseph Hood had bequeathed the land at Hood Park to the Town for Recreation and Leisure purposes. So in 1929 this iconic open-air 30.5 metre (33.3 yards) pool was built and has become one of Ashby’s oldest and most popular sports facilities.

The first major refurbishment costing £25,000 was completed in 1964 and was officially opened by Councillor Miss Joan Smedley, Chairman of Ashby de la Zouch Urban Council. Eric Ball who was a pool attendant at the time (and ex miner) went on to manage the facility until 1985. The small training pool was added in 1973. Hood Park Leisure Centre (costing £523,000) which included a Sports Hall, Gym and Social Facilities was built in 1985 and complimented the existing outdoor pool. An All Weather Area (cost £55,000) was added in 1988. The new Indoor Swimming Pool, Squash Courts, Dance Studio and Gym was built in 2001 (which was part funded by a Lottery grant from Sports England) So nowadays it is a fantastic state of the art centre which is now managed by Everyone Active (on behalf of the District Council).

However following the summer of 1989, Ashby nearly lost its Outdoor Pool when the District Council decided to close the Facility for financial reasons. Campaigners Alicia Fear, Daphne Brown (Chair of Ashby Civic Society) and Ashby Town Council joined the fight to save the pool from closure. A petition with 2,620 signatures was handed over to the District Council and the original decision to close the pool was overturned! Councillors then agreed to a £75000 facelift which included a new heating and filtration system and relining of the main pool tank.

1990 was indeed the year to celebrate the exciting future of this fabulous amenity with 'Ashby de la Zouch by the Sea' marketing promotion. A mix of events also raised its profile and included Triathlons, Swim the Channel challenge, Super Fun Teams, Synchronised Swimming displays and

Social activities. Later that summer the pool was put to an unforeseen usage, when firefighters pumped water from the pool to help fight a blaze at a nearby soap factory (therefore extending its community function!).

A visit to the Outdoor Pool feels like you are going back in time as the Building Structure and quirky outdoor changing rooms haven’t changed much over the years. And when the sun is shining it’s like holidaying abroad! In July 2021 following another refurbishment to the Pool and the addition of a sandpit feature with climbing frame (situated in the old training pool) the whole Leisure Centre complex was rebranded Ashby Leisure Centre and Lido.