The Kenilworth Lido Campaign Group has expressed its "immense disappointment" after Warwick District Council announced that the Abbey Fields Lido would not reopen in 2021.

WDC announced on Thursday that the decision not to reopen the pool had been taken because of the cost of necessary repairs as well as the predicted low footfall it would receive.

Questions have been raised by the campaign group as to why the pool has been allowed to deteriorate to the extent that the council cannot afford to repair and reopen it.

Campaign chair Ruth Colgan said: "Kenilworth outdoor pool has always been popular with families, teenagers and others seeking to experience the joyful combination of water and the outdoors, particularly in hot weather, and especially in school holidays. In recent years people have often been turned away when numbers reach capacity.

"The public should be told why WDC failed to maintain the outdoor pool during the closed period and why recommissioning work did not commence when the government announced outdoor pools could reopen in March. Surely, just taking the simple step of using the pool cover during the winter months might have mitigated some of the problems that have now come to light."

The outdoor pool, which has not reopened since the start of the pandemic, could be demolished later this year if a council planning application is approved.

This would bring an end to 125 years of outdoor swimming in Kenilworth.

Ruth added: "This year we have already seen two near-record breaking heat waves, an urgent public health need for people to take more exercise in safe outdoor spaces and a growing national demand for the lido experience which is so much more than just swimming.

"The outdoor pool is located within a site that already has all the infrastructure needed to offer safe swimming. So why is a much needed municipal resource lying empty and neglected this summer?"

WDC could have reopened the lido from the end of March, following government guidelines, but has delayed making a final decision.

This is because the council said it was taking its lead "from data and not dates".

However, the campaign group has questioned wether WDC ever had any interest in reopening the outdoor pool. "Furthermore, the campaign group would be very interested to know why WDC applied for Government/ Sport England funding (National Leisure Facilities Recovery Fund) to help with the costs of getting its leisure facilities up and running, but omitted to include the outdoor pool?

"This rather suggests to us that the decision to not reopen the pool was taken some time ago and that the review was superfluous."

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