Councillors to discuss bid to build lido for Cork city

Newly elected councillor Laura Harmon has submitted a motion to Cork City Council calling for it to advance plans to create a safe, outdoor, year-round swimming facility in the city.

The Labour Party councillor for Cork City South West said she supports the creation of a Cork lido, which she said would bring huge health benefits for people accessing the facility.

“I support the creation of a Cork lido – a safe, outdoor, year-round swimming facility in Cork city. This would bring huge health benefits, access to swimming for all ages, tourism, business and social benefits to Cork,” she said.

In 2021, the Lido Cork group spearheading the initiative announced that, following consultations with Cork City Council, the local authority had agreed to take the lead in sponsoring a feasibility study on the project and a draft report on the outdoor amenity in 2022 identified some potential sites.

Ms Harmon said necessary funds now need to be sought by Cork City Council to support the facility.

“The Lee Baths closed in 1986, the year I was born – since then we have had nothing like it in Cork city,” she said. "There is a lack of swimming facilities in the city and everyone should have access to swimming and the chance to learn how to swim, no matter what age they are. Lidos are becoming increasingly popular again across Europe and there are more than 100 in the UK. Cork has an opportunity to rival or outdo Dublin in this area by creating a state-of-the-art lido facility. We need to be very ambitious about what we can do for Cork.”

Ms Harmon’s motion was submitted ahead of last night’s council meeting and will be discussed at the Environment, Water & Amenity Strategic Policy Committee on September 17.