Following the meeting with Warwick District Council last week, Kenilworth Lido Campaign chair Ruth Colgan has expressed her disappointment at the decision not to pause the plans for leisure development in Abbey Fields.

Judy Brook addressed the full WDC council meeting last week on behalf of the campaign, where discussions over pausing the development in Abbey Fields were voted down by a margin of 20 votes.

Ruth was, however, delighted with the support shown by a number of district councillors who spoke at the meeting and voted in favour of the Campaign Group's proposal. She also thanked all members of the public and other local organisations who have supported the campaign to keep outdoor swimming in Kenilworth.

Speaking at the meeting last week Cllr Andrew Milton (Lib Dem, Kenilworth St Johns) said "They have made a number of key points and one is that things are different, the pandemic has forced us all to think differently about outdoor space.

"This is not a Kenilworth facility but a district facility and to lose it now when it is an asset for many people would be a genuine shame."

Previously the Council had agreed to open the outdoor pool in 2020, but those plans were negated by the Covid-19 outbreak.

Looking ahead, the campaign group hopes the district council will open the outdoor pool in May 2021 for what could potentially be its last season.

There is a wealth of support from local community groups and businesses keen to collaborate and use the outdoor pool and its surrounds next year, as outlined to councillors in Judy Brook's presentation.

Further ideas were also posited:

- Kenilworth Arts Festival: to look at staging music and literary events, art exhibitions, workshops and wellbeing activities at the outdoor pool.

- The COVID Support Group Kenilworth: willing to work together to utilise the outdoor space as part of reintegration projects being planned to support individuals to access health and wellbeing activities.

- Kenilworth Chamber of Trade: to publicise and promote events and the outdoor pool.

- Kenilworth Junior Triathlon Training Group: offering Triathlon Tasters and expertise on organising a Swimming Gala.

- Kenilworth Art Society: to provide artwork and organise exhibitions and installations at the outdoor pool.

- Support from local businesses including: - Kenilworth Books, The Orangery, Antigo Gift Shop, Artist Karen Pittaway, David Lee Solicitors, The Farthing Gallery, Emmerson's Printers, Coffee on the Corner, The Treehouse Bookshop, Castle Mortgages and Pleasance Farm B&B.

- Furthermore, the Campaign Group's offer to provide voluntary support during 2021 season remains open.

Ruth Colgan commented that the first outdoor pool opened on 1 June 1896 and if good use could be made of the current pool next year, it would be a fitting celebration to mark 125 years of outdoor swimming in Abbey Fields.

For more information about the campaign group please visit the Kenilworth Lido Campaign website and Facebook page for updates.