Kenilworth's historic lido to shut permanently

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Medieval discovery delays swimming pool work



Work to build a new swimming pool has been delayed after medieval remains were found on the site, a councillor has said.

Ceramics and at least five buildings, some dating back to the 13th Century, were discovered at Abbey Fields, in Kenilworth by Archaeology Warwickshire.

Connected to Kenilworth Abbey, experts believe the earliest may have perhaps been a kitchen or guesthouse.

Warwick District Councillor Jim Sinnott said the remains could have big implications on the cost of the swimming pool project.

Plans to raise the level of the pool have been approved by Historic England in a bid to protect the remains.

"We want to look after our heritage, we want to look after these medieval findings and we've got to protect them," Mr Sinnott said.

"The huge scale has involved a complete redesign of the foundations of the new building, so that we can best protect what has been found underneath."

Mr Sinnott said the council would hold a public meeting for residents at the earliest opportunity.

"The council understands the frustration of local people about the delays and current lack of swimming provision, but remains committed to providing the town of Kenilworth with a new facility they can be proud of," he added.

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Kenilworth pool plan backed despite medieval finds driving up costs



Plans to build a swimming pool on a site in Kenilworth where medieval remains were found have been backed by councillors despite rising costs.

Ceramics and at least five buildings were discovered at the Abbey Fields site earlier this year.

Amended plans, including raising the height of foundations, mean the cost has risen from £14.7m to £22.6m.

Warwick District Council's cabinet agreed to press ahead with plans at a meeting on Thursday evening.

The local authority said it represented "the least worst option".

However, the decision will need to be agreed at a full council meeting on 15 November, to release finance.

Restore Kenilworth Lido said people had been given "a most colossal bill" for something they did not agree to.

The new leisure centre will incorporate two indoor pools.

A previous indoor pool and outdoor lido were demolished to make way for the new centre and it was during investigations of the site that the remains, some dating back to the 13th Century, were discovered.

Jane Green, from the lido campaign group, said the cost of the project had also been influenced by the decision to include two indoor pools.

"Everybody wants a swimming pool in Kenilworth," she said. "They never wanted two, which is what's made it such as colossally expensive project."

Council leader Ian Davison told BBC CWR on Friday the Covid pandemic and war in Ukraine had also "pushed prices up hugely".

"If you carry on, it's a lot more money and if you stop, it's a lot more money," he said.

"If you abandon it altogether, the local people don't have a swimming pool. So, yes, I can't say it's a good position."

The council leader added the decision to include two pools was influenced by guidance from Swim England.

"It was evenly balanced within Kenilworth whether an outdoor, [or] an indoor second pool, would be better," he said.

"But what was very clear was both Swim England and the schools were saying for teaching children to swim, an indoor one you have to have."

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Spades in ground after remains delayed pool project



The redevelopment of a leisure centre has resumed after a six-month delay following the discovery of medieval ruins.

Warwick District Council said contractor Kier would begin preparation work to build two indoor swimming pools at Abbey Fields in Kenilworth, Warwickshire.

Ceramics and at least five buildings, some dating back to the 13th Century, were found at the site last year.

It was followed by a lengthy process of design revision, which the council said was to ensure the project provided protection to the archaeological finds.

Communities and leisure lead Jim Sinnott said it marked a landmark moment on a long and difficult journey.

A new design and budget - more than 50% higher than originally planned - was agreed in February.

The new leisure centre will incorporate two indoor pools.

A previous indoor pool and outdoor lido were demolished to make way for the new design.