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Lido-for-Dublin campaign releases images

Swim Ireland is backing the campaign for a public outdoor swimming pool (lido) at George’s Dock in Dublin 1.

The Dublin City Lido campaign has released design and conceptual images for the project which take into account planning feedback from Dublin City Councillors and as well as the DCC executive. 

The campaigners  say that the partnership with Swim Ireland will advance the campaign in alignment with the National Swimming Strategy.

Opportunity

This is a genuine opportunity for the people of Dublin and beyond to enjoy a state-of-the-art heated outdoor swimming facility, the campaigners believe.

Created in partnership with outdoor swimming architect Chris Romer-Lee of Studio Octopi and financed through an ongoing GoFundMe campaign, the images include design for an accessible 50-metre all-season heated pool.

Also in the design is a smaller learning pool, sauna and plunge pool, changing facilities, water gardens with public seating, restored dock walls, community function room, café, and a viewing gallery. 

“These images communicate the enormous benefit a lido would bring to people in Dublin including long-established local communities, residents throughout the city, and visitors to the capital,” said Patrick Earls, founder of the Dublin City Lido campaign.

“A heated outdoor pool would ensure year-round access for all types of swimmers, providing our city with an inclusive and unique facility.”

Optimal design

The updated designs form part of an overall feasibility study examining all options for the site which is being undertaken by the grassroots group, prompted by extensive feedback from Dublin City Council (DCC) in early 2023.

The study has concluded that an outdoor swimming facility of a specific scale would be viable from a design and economic perspective.

Engineering firm Civic provided its expertise on a pro-bono basis.

“Having examined all possible uses for the site, a medium-sized inclusive lido combining swimming pools, green space, and community facilities offer the most value for the public,” Earls added.

“Our proposal promotes mental and physical health benefits for all users, affordable access, swimming and water safety for children and adults, and accessible green space and seating for non-swimmers.” 

The campaign intends on presenting its feasibility study to both the DCC executive and Dublin City Councillors early in the new year.

The Dublin City Lido campaign is calling for DCC to build on the voluntary work that has been done to date and commit to funding a further public-coded feasibility study from the current capital budget.

Sarah Keane of Swim Ireland said, “While we recognise that there are a lot of differing demands on Dublin City Council in terms of infrastructure, we believe that there is a strong case for an outdoor lido in Dublin city.”

Lagging behind other cities

Data compiled by Dublin City Lido shows that Dublin is lagging behind other European cities of comparative size and density in the provision of municipal outdoor swimming facilities.

Cities such as Helsinki and Copenhagen operate a minimum of three lidos. Bristol and Amsterdam have one and seven lidos respectively despite lower population density.

Feedback from local community groups has been positive, the campaigners add, with recognition that an inclusive facility can provide a vital piece of social infrastructure.

McRedmond backing project

An Post chief executive David McRedmond, who is chair of the Taoiseach’s Taskforce for Dublin, added his support: “The Dublin City Taskforce’s recommendations focused on offering Dubliners compelling reasons to live in and visit the city centre, and the lido is a great example of an ambitious amenity that will address dereliction and create an appealing, accessible and positive space for all Dubliners.”

Dublin City Lido recommends that the facility is run by an expert not-for-profit operator on behalf of Dublin City Council which should retain ownership of the facility.

Those who wish to support the campaign can make a donation at https://gofund.me/27103154.