by Vicky Halliday
Hilsea Lido opened in 1935, as a freshwater swimming facility for the communities of North Portsmouth. At its peak, it could accommodate up to 900 swimmers and 1000 spectators and regularly hosted diving championships, to further enhance its celebrity status Hilsea Lido also featured in the 1975 film “Tommy”, which was filmed in Portsmouth.
Portsmouth City Council withdrew funding for the lido and, sadly, it was turned down for listing in 1994 but interest gathered pace in 2007 when Hilsea Lido: Pool for the People formed to save this vital piece of Portsmouth history.
Portsmouth City Council finally gave HLPP a 99 year lease on the lido this year, which will include the Blue Lagoon complex. In addition, it is hoped that plans to close and refurbish the splash pool next door this summer will mean money made from increased revenue on reopening can be diverted to pay for the refurbishment of Hilsea Lido. Fingers crossed that everything goes according to plan and Hilsea will once more open its doors to the public in Summer 2011!
Hilsea Lido: Pool For The People: http://www.hilsea-lido.org.uk
Just to clarify (before anyone starts to complain!) – no decision has been made on the splashpool yet, Hilsea Lido Pool for the People trust are surveying local people to find out what they want at the splashpool (PCC want to replace with wet park – fountains, same as Southsea). PCC want the facility to continue as a free venue for the public & their decision is based on this, the current splashpool costs in terms of staffing & water treatment the style they are planning will not, they allege.
Everyone is invited to the event on 22 May 2010, tickets are just £5 & on sale via The Wedgewood Rooms. It will be a good day out for all the family. Because it is taking place within the main pool site we thought it best to make it a non-alcohol event (don’t want any disasters at our first attempt to host a music event that will hopefully become part of our regular fundraising calender. Come & support Hilsea Lido, we want it open to the public in 2011. Thanks x
There is a very good case study on Hilsea Lido (and many other lidos) in Liquid Assets by Janet Smith.
For example, in the book it informs that there used to be a 32 feet high diving board in the centre of the pool. Apparently in the thirties a one legged man was seen to scale the top, set alight his wooden leg and then dive into the water !!!