Campaigners hoping to keep Kenilworth’s outdoor pool open as a 'community venture' have had their hopes quashed

Campaigners hoping to keep Kenilworth’s outdoor pool open have had their hopes quashed after district councillors refused to pause their plans for the Abbey Fields leisure project.

A petition with more than 1,200 signatures was presented to Warwick District Council and Judy Brooke, of the Restore Kenilworth Lido Group, said volunteers were ready to help turn the lido into a community venture.

She told last night's (Wednesday's) full council meeting: “Our petition asks that Warwick District Council pause the Kenilworth leisure project and create a revised plan.

"We strongly believe this is an opportunity to open the outdoor pool in 2021 as an outdoor community hub and already have a number of community groups and business organisations keen to be involved.

“Whilst we haven't lost sight of a 21st Century lido we will willingly put this to one side to work collaboratively for the benefit of our community’s economy and wellbeing.

“This is not a change of heart but a reality check and the reason we are looking at things differently is because, right now, things are very different.

"With staycations becoming the norm, not only because of Covid restrictions but because jobs and incomes are being cut, we believe we can bring the beach to Kenilworth.”

She added that she hoped the group could work hand-in-hand with the council, raising money through various fundraising activities such as outdoor film screenings.

She added: “The outdoor pool is a unique low cost family amenity that provides outdoor swimming in the most land-locked part of the country which has the potential I believe to become a significant tourist attraction.”

A number of councillors supported the petition and Cllr Andrew Milton (Lib Dem, Kenilworth St Johns) proposed that the matter be considered by the council’s executive.

He 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.”

And Cllr Geraldine Cullinan (Lab, Leamington Clarendon) added: “I do think it is a district amenity. The health benefits are really becoming clear so there are many reasons why we should take another look at this.”

But the petition found no favour with the controlling Conservative group. Portfolio holder for culture and neighbourhood Cllr Moira-Ann Grainger (Con, Warwick All Saints and Woodloes) said: “Once again we have spent time and energy listening to a long discussion on something that we have long discussed over and over again.

“We have invested a huge amount of time and effort and, to date, a great deal of taxpayers' money on producing something that the rest of the district feel is an extremely good addition to our leisure facilities.”

Her proposal to take no further action was approved by 20 votes to 13 with seven abstentions.