The Seventh Wonder of the English Seaside: Saltdean Lido Renovation with Aqua Platinum Projects
During the 1930s, when outdoor swimming became fashionable, more than 150 lidos were built across the country by local councils to be used as recreational facilities. The country’s most famous example is Saltdean Lido in the city of Brighton and Hove.
Saltdean’s English Heritage status was upgraded to Grade II* in 2011 thanks to its architectural and historical importance. First opened in 1938, the seaside lido was designed to face southeast towards the English Channel, with a seawater pool and central fountain on the curved northeast side, and a central diving stage on the southwest side. It was time to restore it to its former glory!
Community lido in need of new lease of life
When the leaseholder of the site – one of only three remaining seaside lidos left in the UK – announced plans to demolish the Art Deco building to construct an apartment block on the site, community outrage was loud and swift. After the development application was refused, the lease was handed back to Brighton and Hove City Council and the Saltdean Lido was closed to the public in 2012.
After falling into a dilapidated state, a major restoration project bolstered by £3 million of community funding was announced, which would see the main building restored to its former Art Deco glory.
- The main pool, measuring 40 metres (131ft) in length, with an overall volume of 800m³ including a central waterfall feature.
- Children’s splash pool measuring 17-metres in length (56ft) with an overall volume of 16m³ featuring a slide and interactive water feature and play area.
Led by the renowned Aqua Platinum Projects and its preferred distributor, Paramount Pool Products, the professionals were faced with a pool that was beyond repair and the original, fabricated metal filters that were totally corroded. In essence, both pools had to be totally rebuilt.
Waterco helped bring Saltdean into the 21st century
In order to meet the latest specifications relating to commercial pool filtration, Paramount Pool Products turned to a brand they knew would provide a solution that was capable of processing the lido’s high volume of water and bather load and wouldn’t corrode in the seaside setting – Waterco.
Waterco’s sophisticated filtration solutions included five SMD1800 Micron commercial sand filters and four 7Hp BH5000 Cast Iron Pumps for the main pool, one SMD1800 Micron commercial sand filter and two Hydrostar 6HP pumps for the children’s splash pool. “Hydrostar pumps are high performance, corrosion resistant thermoplastic pumps that are purpose-built for commercial swimming pools, aquatic facilities and water parks,” says Waterco Europe CEO Tony Fisher, adding “Knowing how important Saltdean Lido was to the local community and the broader region meant a lot, and we were excited to be part of its transformation.” Providing further filtration support is Waterco’s Ecopure glass media, which is manufactured from recycled glass and is considered a more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional sand.
No project is too big or too small for Paramount Pools, and we’ll always have the right product for the job. Join our network of dealers to have access to exclusive swimming pool equipment and swimming pool filters for your next build.
A welcoming response from the local community
The build went swimmingly and the whole system took just a few weeks to install. When Saltdean Lido was reopened to the public in June 2017, hundreds turned out to celebrate, many of whom had spent the past few years campaigning and fundraising in its honour.
“Saltdean Lido has gone from a public eyesore to a place that can be enjoyed by everyone,” says Tony. “It is a space where the community can gather once again, and families can come together and enjoy the benefits of a pool.”
With campaigns to restore lidos in Bath, Peckham and Reading, Saltdean Lido represents a historic turning point in the growing interest to restore Britain’s beloved open-air swimming pools.
“There has been a fantastic response from so many companies and all who are involved with the Saltdean Lido would like to say a big thank you to Waterco for its support,” says Saltdean Lido volunteer director and local resident Deryck Chester.
An architectural icon and beloved public pool
The community asset re-opened to the people who saved it, restoring a 79-year-old pool to its former glory. The refurbished outdoor site now boasts a heated swimming pool, a children’s paddling pool, a shallow splash area, and beautifully landscaped gardens.
“A historic community swimming pool is brought into the 21st century with Waterco’s world-class commercial filtration technologies,” says Tony Fisher, Waterco Europe CEO.
An architectural icon and beloved public pool, hopefully, the beginning of more public lido renovations.
The key to Waterco’s worldwide success has been its pioneering, innovative, rigorous testing and manufacturing processes that have resulted in quality-assured goods delivered every time.
Paramount Pools are proud to be associated with such a company and are pleased to offer exclusively their range of Heat Plus heat pumps, Exotuf filters, Hydrostorm Plus pumps and Microfine Media. Read more about the quality products Waterco can supply for your next project.
