Bringing outdoor swimming
back to Preston
A community campaign to build a Lido: an open-air pool where the city can learn, train, rehabilitate and enjoy the water together.
- Historic Lidos
- 3
- Open air since
- 1905
- Outdoor swimming
- 100%
- For the whole of
- Preston
Why it matters
The case for outdoor swimming
Across the country, communities are rediscovering the joy and the wellbeing benefits of swimming in open air. Preston should be part of it.
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The campaign
What is this about?
For many years Preston had pools to choose from, ranging from small indoor baths to large public pools. But few people knew that Preston was once home to three Lidos. They were a space for families to come together, swim, and enjoy being outside. The world has changed, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't have these facilities back in our communities.
We're trying to bring that back to Preston, to make it a destination for all abilities to learn, train, rehabilitate and build confidence swimming in an outdoor environment.
The basics
What is a Lido?
A Lido is an outdoor swimming pool and its surrounding facilities, typically open-air, and often found in public parks or resorts. Lidos are used to relax, learn to swim, train for events, and to build confidence and rehabilitate in the water.
Read more about the resurgence of Lidos →
The people
Who is behind this?
My name is Mark Dunbavan. I'm a member of Future Lidos and I've been a swimmer for nearly 15 years. Indoors and out, I've always loved being in the pool. It was therapy through episodes of arthritis, keeping my muscles strong and my mind focused. That focus became a passion that drove me to complete a marathon swim at the London Aquatics Centre, one of the hardest things I've done. It proved to me that swimming saved my mental health and pulled me out of a dark place with my autoimmune disease.
Our aims
Why we're doing this
A Lido is more than a pool. Here's what we believe it can do for Preston.
Increase community engagement in swimming outdoors.
Create a more diverse community around swimming in Preston.
Create a healthy focus around swimming in leisure and fitness.
Elevate the city's sporting credentials through swimming.
Put the city on the map as a destination.
Create a legacy for Preston and a historic marker.
Make Preston a more attractive place to live, work and visit.
Create a benchmark in swim safety in cold water.
Inspiration
Our favourite Lidos
Communities across the country are rediscovering outdoor swimming. These are a few that inspire us.
London
Brockwell Lido
Hackney
London Fields Lido
Brighton
Sea Lanes
Yorkshire
Ingleton Outdoor Pool
The ask
What we need from the community
We're looking for people who are passionate about swimming and the community around it, whether you're a wild swimming fan, an avid indoor swimmer, someone who loves swimming as part of their lifestyle, or a professional coach. We need your support.
Where the project stands
We've contacted organisations locally to gauge support, and had great responses from:
- Swim Central Preston
- Preston National swim team
- UCLan
- Active Lancashire
- British Chambers of Commerce Lancashire
To keep moving forward, we're looking for:
Interested in helping? Get in touch at mdunbavan@gmail.com