While we imagine most of us are delighted to wave 2020 goodbye, it is worth a quick backwards glance, if only to thank you for your support of Chippy Lido during a difficult year.
Having had to open late and adapt our operations, it was great how many of you got to swim during our abbreviated season. It really endorsed our efforts (and investment) to provide a safe space in which to enjoy family time and fitness. It was heartwarming to see just how much it means to so many of you to have The Lido to escape to and, with lots of other outdoor pools unable to open, we were amazed how far people would travel to enjoy safe swimming in the fresh air.
Support has continued since closing, with donations coming in directly via TotalGiving and while shopping online via easyfundraising. Huge thanks to everyone who has already donated and/or subscribed.
Café appeal
As you know, being a charitable, community-run facility, this financial support is vital to keep Chippy Lido operating and to carry out maintenance. Looking to the future, we are in the midst of redeveloping the café and steam room building – essential, structural works that have progressed into improvements. As well as being desirable additions to our core offer of a safe, family leisure facility, both the steam room and particularly the café provide important income streams to reinvest in the pools.
The trustees designated some restricted funds to carry out the structural work, progress with which you can see here.
Already a vast improvement, as we’re sure you’ll agree! Now the essential work to the shell is done, we are launching an appeal to enable completion and hope you might contribute to finessing the project. If you can possibly assist with a donation, please click here.
Slightly belatedly, we wish you a healthy and happy New Year. Also hopeful – that we can open for the full summer season in 2021 and that we get to see you at The Lido then.