EXCITING design concepts for the revival of Saltcoats' outdoor bathing pool have now been unveiled.
The design proposals were unviled to the public for the first time at a consultation event at Saltcoats Town Hall on Wednesday evning.
Around 120 people were present - all eager to have a first look at the plans, said to have been influenced by designs from Scandinavia and Australia.
Irene Campbell, chair of the 'Splash' group, which was formed to bring the town's lido back to live, first shared her vision with the Herald back in mid-2021, after she grew frustrated at having nowhere safe to swim during lockdown with indoor pools closed.
She had fond memories of the former pool from her time growing up in the town - and so the idea to return it to its former glory was born.
Since that time feasibility study and engineer’s reports have been completed, confirming that a revival of the outdoor bathing pool would be possible - and would cost in the region of £500,000.
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With the help of UK Future Lidos - a group of campaigners collaborating and developing new lidos across the UK and Ireland - a top architect created his vision for the pool.
Chris Romer-Lee, described as one of the world’s leading experts in tidal pools, used designs from existing pools in the Norwegian capital Oslo and from Bondi Beach in Sydney to drive his Saltcoats designs - finally unveiled to the public on Wednesday.
Chris and Irene were both present at the unveiling event, alongside local councillor Jim Montgomerie, also a member of the Splash group.
The stunning concept shows several potential access points, and has been designed to remain in keeping with the natural landscape.
Irene, who works as an NHS manager during the day, told the Herald she hopes the Splash group can bring free and safe open swimming back to Saltcoats, and that the “one of a kind” design might help attract visitors to the town.
She told the Herald: “It’s all looking really good and feels very possible that this could get done.
"In 1933 when the Saltcoats pool opened, it was considered state-of-the-art. Now, 90 years later, we are hoping to bring back a state-of-the-art structure, which has been designed by a leading architect.
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"I don’t think there is anything like it in Scotland. We are at a very exciting stage.
“It has annoyed me for years that the pools have just been lying there. It was during Covid that I got a real bee in my bonnet about it. Now it’s all driving forward.”
Following this meeting it will be all systems go for Ayrshire’s only tidal pool - as funding bids are submitted, fund-raising plans put in place, and feedback is taken on board before final plans are submitted to the relevant authorities.
Follow @SaltcoatsBathi1 on Twitter to keep in touch with the project and find out more.
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