OUTCOME:
Owing to the need for new filtration equipment plus attentions drawn towards Health and Safety, the pool would not open in 1978 or ever again. A nearby site also was earmarked for the possible Western terminal interchange - a blight for a swimmer’s outdoor paradise. Many plans were being made for the redevelopment of the whole area, and until such plans materialised the Lido was considered for becoming a skateboard centre. The old beloved antiquated treasure, once looking over the mud flats of the Solent, and beyond to open sea, would now - if it had survived - be surrounded by huge retail centres, car parks, and - not one glimpse of the sea. When demolished, a fine indoor swimming and diving championship pool was in the process of development, just “down the road” (Harbour Road). This fine pool was also pulled down after forty years or so, and in its place today, stands an International swimming and diving complex including health, fitness and family fun - “The Quays.”
Swimming started in the town with its first open-air swimming pool built on the edges of Southampton Water in 1854 when population was increasing twofold. What a lot of water has run under the bridge since then.
400 acres of mud flats were reclaimed - this shows the docks under construction 1928. completed in 1934. There was to be no toe dipping into the sea from the Lido.
Present day, this area is covered by thoroughfare, highways, retail parks, car parks and shopping centres, and...indoor pools.
