Our Vision

Our vision is a vibrant Otley Riverside boosting health, well-being and prosperity for residents, workers and visitors to Otley. We want our project to be a catalyst for, and complementary to, wider regeneration of Otley Riverside through transforming the derelict Otley baths into a vibrant community hub featuring a heated lido.

Our original concepts were of considerable scale and scope and utilised new build construction. Options with a reduced scale and scope were ruled out on the basis they were unlikely to be viable. However, we conducted a project review which suggests this was premature.

As a result, FMG (sport and leisure consultancy) shall review the previous concepts in addition to examining options with a reduced scale and scope. However, the core drivers of the project remain unchanged - bringing the site back into community use and providing a heated swimming pool (and associated infrastructure) supported by facilities that complement the pool, location, and town.

It is envisaged that options with a reduced scale and scope:

Increase the feasibility of the project
Are not likely to compromise the viability of the project

Maximise the possibility to renovate and utilise the existing buildings (subject to surveys and suitability) reducing capital costs, increasing sustainability, reducing timescales, etc.
Still deliver the core benefits of bringing the site back into community use plus a swimming facility
Respect and reduce the impact of the challenges associated with the site (e.g. size, the culvert running underneath, flooding, parking, traffic, etc.)
Reduce potential opposition to the project and simplify planning permission
Maximise the site’s inherent pros whilst simultaneously minimising its cons

Our review has convinced us this is a positive change in our approach and we have received positive feedback from a number of stakeholders.

In regards to the provision of facilities we remain open-minded, flexible and shall be evidence-led. FMG shall investigate the options with a primary focus on a heated pool and identify other facilities to complement this from both operational and financial perspectives. We envisage this shall include consideration of:

Pool(s)
Supporting infrastructure (e.g. heating and filtration systems, changing, showers, toilets, storage areas, reception, office, etc.)
Wet play area
Outdoor seating and lounging areas
Viewing gallery and/or balcony
Sauna and/or spa
Café
Shop
Community room(s) and/or multi-purpose room(s)
Gym and/or fitness room and/or studio
Restaurant and/or bar
Any other facilities that complement the lido, location and town

In addition we are also committed to:

Wharfemeadows Bowling Club – delivering a ‘home’ through consultation with the club and Leeds City Council
Improving the toilet provision in Wharfemeadows Park

Our aim is for the venue to be community owned, community run and for the benefit of the community.

Lidos across the country are experiencing a magnificent resurgence...our plans are ambitious but they are not unrealistic!

Despite our name - we are no FoOLs! Lidos around the country are experiencing a magnificent resurgence and we want Otley to be part of that! Our project aims to return the baths to its heyday - albeit in a modern guise. We want a venue which benefits the local community through improving health and well-being and provides economic benefits for the town by virtue of it being a destination for visitors from further afield.

As Shadow Tourism Minister I've been round the country and seen the boost to both local communities and the economy a Lido has brought with visitors flocking for outdoor swimming. We need a facility like this here to provide a leisure amenity for local people and attract new visitors to Otley.

Alex Sobel MP (Leeds North West)

Sustainability

Sustainability is key to our vision and integral to our decision-making. We have given great thought and consideration to how our project can be sympathetic to the environment during its life-cycle - design, build and operationally. But it's not just about minimising its environmental footprint but also maximising the positive impacts it can make such as to the visual aspects of Wharfemeadows Park and the town.

Additionally, FoOL's values place financial sustainability and viability at the heart of our plans. The venue needs to be self-sustaining whilst simultaneously being affordable for users - hence our desire to provide a variety of facilities and activities on the site which shall provide diversified revenue streams. It would be irresponsible of us to build the venue unless it can operate succesfully.

Everyone is well aware of the positive impact of exercise on physical and mental health and the importance of children learning to swim. So yes, the community shall be able to come for a swim and take part in other activities. Yes, swimmers and triathletes shall be able to train here. And yes, the lido shall help address the shortage of swimming lessons in the area.

However, our aim is to be much more than a place to swim! We want the lido to be a hub that connects our community. A destination where families can come to relax and enjoy themselves. An accessible venue where everyone can take part in activities, have a drink or meal and connect with others. A place where children and adults can learn life lessons through sport and establish a healthy relationship with exercise for the rest of their lives. And who knows, maybe a place where future Olympians begin their journeys!

Lidos across the country are experiencing a resurgence and others that had previously closed are being regenerated and re-opening. Our plans are ambitious but they are not unrealistic!

Read about how we intend to bring our vision to fruition in 'Our Journey' - click here.