Campaigners launch petition to keep public outdoor swimming pool in Kenilworth

The Restore Kenilworth Lido group has launched the petition against Warwick District Council's decision to keep the pool at Abbey Fields Leisure Centre closed for the rest of the summer.

The group has said: "At a time when lidos across the country are growing in popularity, it seems a poorly judged decision by Warwick District Council (WDC) to close Kenilworth’s outdoor pool in Abbey Fields.

"Outdoor swimming is valuable for both physical and mental wellbeing.

"As we all try to adapt to the ‘new normal’ brought about by COVID-19, this must be given high priority. Simply the fact that being outdoors is proven to reduce the risk of contract- ing or spreading COVID-19 warrants an urgent review of outdoor leisure facilities.

"Therefore, a new petition has been created calling on WDC to carry out Kenilworth Town Council’s appeal to pause the current Kenilworth leisure project and ‘create a revised plan’; and this to include a Feasibility Study into the viability of an outdoor pool.

Thomas Bates of Studio Bates Architectural Consultancy, a former Kenilworth resident, has produced a design which fits the present site.

The group has said: "The design complements the local surroundings, ensuring the lake and view to the castle creates a sense of being part of the environment and will include the best eco credentials.

"This would give the town outdoor and indoor swimming for the twenty-first century, with minimal impact on the environment and a community space we can all be proud of.

Author, journalist and outdoor swimmer Joe Minihane has voiced his support for the campaign, emphasising the current importance of outdoor swimming.

He said: "Saving Kenilworth’s outdoor pool is absolutely vital.

"Moving it indoors is an act of civic vandalism, especially at a time when we need to spend more time outdoors.

"Outdoor pools provide safe places to exercise and improve our mental health, as well as giving us a direct connection with nature.

"It would be a tragedy to see it go."

https://www.change.org/save-kenilworth-outdoor-pool