Slough - Baylis Lido

For twenty years the council had been discussing the possibility of an open air pool in Slough. This pool survived until 1984 and then ...look what happened to it! The bath was demolished to make way for an Olympic proportioned bath 50 X 17 metres with Nationaldiving stage plus paddling pool for toddlers, complete with sparkling fountain. The water was heated between 65 -70% attracting wonderful leisure days ahead, plus

becoming a magnificent training venue.
Despite a number of drawbacks the lido became the jewel in the park. A windy day with leaden skies greeted the first opening. The weather didn’t deter a least a 100 children clammering at the turn stile to rush in for the first sample of the wonderful lido...in fact...someone had illicitly had a sneaky swim the previous evening, judging by a suspicious shirt floating in the water!
During Summer 1965 the opening ceremony was conducted by Brigadier Sir Henry Floyd, Lord Lieutenant of Bucks. First dive was from Slough’s Olympic representative Billy Wood joined by Jennifer Robb, Richard Lacey, John Shilton and Kathy Rowlatt. Slough had just learned that it had won the Brickett trophy for the southern counties at its first attempt, by 570 of its young swimmers gaining the junior swimming during the year.
The Lido was honoured in Las Vagas as the third top swimming pool in an international
competition. It was a bronze medal surprise for Slough Council that their pool had gained international recognition amongst keen competition from all over the world. It attracted entries from Australia, the far east and Canada The Lido was designed by Mr John King, Borough Engineer for Slough.
Outcome: Due to heavy costs, and falls in attendances, despite reprieves, the pool finally closed in 1988. One day perhaps...who knows, Slough may boast another magnificent pool.