A £3m plan for Tooting Lido has been announced - an investment that could secure the future of the facility for the next 50 years.

The plan, recently revealed by Wandsworth Council, will see an extensive refurbishment of the lido, which dates back to 1906.

Improvements will include the replacement of both pump houses into a single building with a UV filtration system with new pipework, pool liner and substation.

Councillors on the Environment and Community Services committee will meet next Thursday (November 25) to discuss the proposals.

An initial programme was approved last year costing £867,000 to deal with the subsidence issues affecting the south pump house and to replace its filtration system. However, further investigations have shown that a more comprehensive package of works is needed to safeguard the pool's infrastructure.

Councillors will be asked if they can support the extra works, costing an additional £2.1m on top of the original £867,000.

According to the council, the lido has a footfall of around 133,500 people every year and it is often described as the "jewel in the crown" of Wandsworth's sports, leisure and fitness facilities.

The South London Swimming Club, which is based at the lido, continues to grow in popularity, rising from 1,549 members in 2018 to 2,717 members in 2021.

Competitions have been held at Tooting Bec Lido since the pool first opened. A significant number of competitions, 'scratch races' and events take place throughout the year for either South London Swimming Club members or as open competitions. The lido hosts the National Cold Water Swimming Championships every two years, with guest teams from several countries competing and enhancing the pool's international reputation.

A report for councillors from Wandsworth's director of environment and community services Paul Chadwick urging them to support the proposals, states: "In summary, these works will preserve the future of Tooting Bec Lido by advancing investment ahead of any expected replacement programme.

"It will be advantageous to invest in a new and compliant facility, operating efficiently, saving on long-term maintenance costs and a facility that importantly continues to provide exceptional facilities for at least the next 50 years."

If councillors approve the report's recommendations, planning consent will be sought for the new combined pump house building.

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