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London Fields Lido reopening: Still no date set as Hackney Council admits repair work is shoddy and could be unsafe
Swimmers in happier, though colder, times brave freezing temperatures for a dip at the London Fields Lido. Picture: Ron Lamb - Credit: Archant
London Fields Lido “cannot and will not” reopen until “substandard” and potentially unsafe repair work is fixed, the council said this morning.
Mayor Phil Glanville inspects the lido. Picture: Hackney Council - Credit: Archant
Refurb work on the pool has dragged on well past its purported “late summer” reopening date, and the town hall’s leisure chief has now admitted there is still no firm timeframe for people to be allowed back in.
There are a “series of defects” to the repairs and refurbishment of the pool, changing rooms and reception area.
The popular pool closed in April for major work on its crumbling tiles, and to give the changing rooms and reception area a makeover.
But delays to repairs pushed back the opening to the end of September, and the poolside area has still not been completed to an “acceptable standard” by contractors, Cllr Jon Burke said in a statement.
Mayor Phil Glanville inspects the lido. Picture: Hackney Council - Credit: Archant
As well as uneven tiling, there are problems with the electrics throughout the building.
Cllr Burke said: “London Fields Lido remains closed due to further delays in the repairs and refurbishment of the pool, changing rooms and reception area.
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“While the substantive work of replacing the screed, render and tiles within the pool itself has been completed, the contractor has not finished the poolside area to an acceptable standard. There are also problems with the new mechanical and electrical systems throughout the building which need to be resolved before the facility can be safely reopened.
“At first glance it may look like the pool is ready, but the entire facility needs to be completely safe before the public can be allowed to enter the lido. That means clean, smooth and level surfaces. We have made it clear to the contractor that the council will not accept a substandard finish, so the pool cannot and will not open until this is achieved.
The London Fields Lido was closed all summer for repairs - and they still aren't finished. - Credit: Archant
“We are incredibly frustrated and very disappointed by this latest delay and will provide another update when we are confident that the work will be completed to the required standard. The contractor is working through a series of defects to agreed deadlines - we need to be 100% certain that these will be met before announcing an opening date.”
