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In the 1930's there was a nationwide health movement, which led to the construction of over 180 new open air swimming pools, with Lidos being built all around the coast. The word ‘lido’ derives from the Latin litus and originates from a resort in Italy. It initially became associated in English with beach resorts in Europe but was gradually used to describe out-door pools.
A Lido for Grange was first discussed in the 1920's when the Urban District Council had proposals to build one below Bay Villa (where Main Street car park now is) - but the then owner did not sell the land, so the proposal was shelved. In 1929 another proposed pool was costed up (around £12,000), which would have been built near the bottom of Bailey Lane on the foreshore.
The current site was finally decided on - mainly because there was also the ability to build a car park and bridge over the railway, which meant that access to the pool would not be a problem. The Berners level crossing also meant that construction and maintenance traffic had good access.
Construction took a year or so (after the tide and rain delayed matters), costing around £18,000, and the pool was formally opened on 18 August 1932 by Lord Derby (although it had actually been open and in use for around 6 weeks by then!). LMS even ran special trains from Morecambe (and possibly elsewhere) to the event.
The Lido was filled with sea water through a filtration system, and was unheated. It was immediately popular with locals, tourists and schools. On August Bank Holiday in 1932 over 6,000 people visited in one day, with around 60,000 a year. It continued to be popular, and in 1968, over 47,000 swimmers went to the Lido. There were numerous Beauty contests and swimming competitions.
By the 1980's problems started to appear with falling numbers, structural issues and maintenance difficulties, partly because of damage sustained in 1977 when storms flooded the machinery and buildings. This led to closure in 1993. Since then there have been numerous ideas and proposals to redevelop or re-open the Lido - but as yet they have come to nothing.
The Lido was listed Grade II in 2011.
Facts and Figures
The Lido was 165' long, and 11'2" wide (1,615 square yards) - with depths ranging from 1'6" to 10' under the diving boards. It also had water chutes and a water polo area. It's capacity was 445,000 gallons of sea water.
It cost £18,000 to build.
Opened in 1932, closed on 1993.
31 окт 2018
