History:

• In 1927, the Corporation purchased two acres of land from the Ecclesiastical Commissioners.
• The 28th of May 1936 was the Lido's official opening ceremony  lead by the Peterborough Mayoress, Councillor AH Mellows. The celebrations took off with a swimming gala.
• On the 8th of June 1940, the Lido’s northwest corner was damaged by German bombs but was restored after the war.
• In 1973 a 4.3m (14ft) tunnel was found underneath the boundary walls dug by children so they could avoid paying the 5p entry fee.
• In the late 1980’s the council tried to close the Lido to save money but a 15,000 signature petition and Councillor Neville Sanders saved it from closure.
• In 2002 the building was refurbished.
• 1n 2006 the Lido celebrated its 70th Anniversary with a ceremony and declaration of it being open by the Mayor Councillor Michael Burton. The Chief Executive, Gillian Beasley swam the opening swim, shortly followed by Councillor Matthew Lee and members of the community.

Architecture:

The Peterborough Open Air Pool was designed by a committee of five honorary  architects; S Dodson and SE Dodson, AW Ruddle, WP Hack, AW Wilson and HJ Wilson, and Traylen, Lenton and Warwick. The City Engineer, FJ Smith and a consulting engineer who also gave advice.

The design and colourings for the 30’s building is reminiscent of Mediterranean styling, especially that of a Spanish hacienda. The brick walls have rendered concrete exteriors and are lined with “Cullamix” slabs painted cream; which makes a  complimentary juxtaposition with the green pantiles of the hipped roofs.

The main west entrance has a central two-storey gateway and a grandstand  pavilion. Three arched doorways and fanlights are flanked by six light metal casements. Above is a four sided, 1.2m (4ft) (in circumference) clock tower surmounted by a pyramidal copper roof.

Set back to either side are single storey wings with continuous metal-framed window strips, topped by square piers with iron facing between them. The entrance used to lead into a small mosaic-clad lobby and the clock was driven by a synchronous electric motor supplied from the Corporation mains.

Two square, two storey pavilions are positioned on each corner of the building. Each has a three light metal casement window on each floor, on each facade.

Inside the Lido, two long staircases lead from the main pavilion to the upper floor, a viewing platform also has an open loggia supported on square columns. The flat roof terrace was originally designed to hold temporary seating for galas and events as well as being a viewing platform for bathers and non-bathers.

200 changing rooms (four disabled) for each sex and 300 lockers are located under the rooftop terrace. Showers are provided at each end of the pool and footbaths upon entering.

The side fronts have single storey wings with continuous metal frame window strips, topped by square piers with iron fencing between.

The main pool is 50.3m (165ft) long x 5.6m (60ft) wide. Depths vary from 0.9m (3ft) to 2.7m (9ft). A 30.5cm (12in) width raised kerb surrounds the pool with recessed stone and steel steps are installed at approximately the halfway mark. The pool is illuminated by 30 (500-watts) under-water floodlit projectors.

The freshwater swimming pool was unheated when it was opened but the designers had foreseen the possibility of heating the pool when appropriate funding could be made and installed piping, which is now in use for both the main swimming pool and paddling pool. Electric motors totalling 24HP filter 388,000 gallons of water in six hours.

The Children’s pool is 21.3m (70ft) x 7.3m (24ft) wide and depths vary from 0.9m (3ft) to 0.7m (2ft 6in). It is has four concrete standards on the side and is illuminated by four bollards, each fitted with 200-watt lamps.

A Café is situated at the northeast of the building providing refreshment in the sunbathing space around the pools.

The surrounding gardens are cultivated with flowers and have 200 bicycle stands.

The Lido was refurbished in 2002. The original fountain is no longer in use but planted with flowers. The changing rooms have been refitted and the exterior has been repainted to its original colour, cream. The Lido also had a 5m (16.4ft) high diving stage, with two springboards of 1m (3.3ft)  and 3m (9.8ft), and water chute but this was later dismantled due to health and safety reasons. Vandals damaged the original metal casement windows and fanlights above the entrance and these have since been in filled and painted as to mimic the originals.

In 1992 the Lido was listed as a Grade II Building.

Social History :

• Organised bathing had always taken place in between the Town Bridge and Woodston Staunch, but due to health risks and complaints of naked men, a pool was built.
• The Council devised the ‘Embankment Scheme’ to relocate leisure facilities along the North Bank of the River Nene to help relieve unemployment and to improve and provide a worthier southern gateway to the city. Talks for the scheme started before 1876.
• In 1933, Peterborough City Council invited local architects and engineers to work on the £15,000 project with the City Engineer, F J Smith. In response, five architects suggested for the best interest of the community, they use their combined efforts and work together for no fee.
• At the opening gala, the five architects were presented with a silver cigarette case on behalf of the Corporation.
• Until the 1960’s all children were allowed in, but when a seven year old boy drowned the coroner urged the Lido to always have children under the age of twelve accompanied by an adult.
• In 1973, 181,396 swimmers visited the Lido.
• The City Council is considering making the Lido an all year-round facility by creating a demountable roof.