Waterside Pool was opened by the ‘Worshipful Mayor of Ryde, Alderman R.V. Bourne’ on 24th August 1973 with funding from the then rather grand-sounding Municipal Borough of Ryde – abolished the following year.
Named the ‘Esplanade Bathing Pools’ it opened during hot weather in the middle of the busy summer season and was an instant success. The main contractor was Walcon Ltd, and retired builder, Keith Edmunds remembers the months of hard work required to turn a big hole in the ground into a major leisure facility.
Outdoor lido operating summer season only
When they first opened, the ‘Bathing Pools’ comprised an open air trio, the present 25m swimming pool, a smaller learner pool and an even smaller paddling pool. Together they made an outdoor lido that operated summer season only.
In 1973 there were very few pools on the Island and no public indoor ones.
Waterside, despite its weather dependency, was hugely popular and many local children learned to swim with a number progressing to be lifeguards for the next generation of learners. Peter Taylor, the current Treasurer, remembers swimming with his children when it was still a lido.
New roof thanks to Medina Borough Council
Local Government reorganisation in 1974 led to the pools being run successfully as a civic amenity by Medina Borough Council.
Fortunately for today’s users, a last gasp by Medina Borough Council before it too was abolished was to spend, spend, spend before the new Unitary Authority emptied the coffers.
This resulted in a new retractable roof being added in 1994 – a year-round facility was born and operated by the new Isle of Wight Council’s Leisure Services team.
Hard times
Sadly, hard times were to follow and as a money saving exercise the Learner Pool and Paddling Pool were filled in and concreted over although new more efficient dual fuel boilers were installed.
In 2008 things got worse. This was the year we all learned to hate bankers. The global economy entered free fall and the Isle of Wight did not escape the deep recession that followed.
IWC to close the pool
In 2009 the Isle of Wight council announced spending cuts and the pool was scheduled to close in 2010. It was at that point the swimming pool’s fortunes began to change.
At an irritated public meeting, led by Lesley Ball and Ian Jenkins, a small group emerged to try to save the pool from closure. Signatures were gathered, meetings held and Isle of Wight Councillors were persuaded to offer the pool for sale.
Waterside Community Trust was born
Waterside Community Trust Limited, comprising Ian and Lesley joined by Keith Gentleman, Mark Haslam, Andre Kurowski and Chris Wrenn became the preferred bidder.
Aided pro bono by Nick Gale, the Trust’s solicitor, and following many months of wrangling, the group through the new not for profit company, partnering with Ryde Town Council via Councillor Conrad Gauntlett, obtained a 125 year lease, which is when a Community Pool was born on 1st November 2011.
Support to stay open
The early years were a struggle with operating costs at £1,000 per day and the Trust was grateful to receive a grant of £20,000 per year from Ryde Town Council voted by councillors who were eager to try to keep the pool open.
Time passed and many improvements were made following successful bids by the new company, for both local and national grants. In 2017 the Trust became a registered charity.
Teaching 1000s of children to swim every year
Today the charity having survived the pandemic, aided by Ryde Town Council and a Government grant, enjoys a great relationship with local government officers at County Hall and teaches thousands of local children every year.
Todd Miller was appointed General Manager in 2016 and has built on the early successes expanding the charity to encompass Beach Lifeguarding in both Ryde and Sandown, sea safety training, lifeguard training, a revitalized swimming club and creating a centre of excellence widely regarded for the quality of the work of his team and awarded national recognition by the Royal Life Saving Society and recently by the Isle of Wight Sports Foundation.
The charity looks forward to a secure future
With the continuing support of pool users pool members and all those who care about the amenities available in the public realm on our Island the charity looks forward to a secure future.
Todd Miller (General Manager), said,
“Waterside Pool is an essential leisure provision for the Island, which is evident by its 50 years of loyal service, with the Centre busier than ever.
“It is rare for a pool to survive finically as a stand alone facility, which is why continued financial support is essential to its future. With the increases in utility costs and the withdrawal of financial support from Ryde Town Council, it will challenging times ahead.
“We cannot thank everyone enough for their continued support of the Centre, and we hope the Centre is able to deliver a further 50 years of service to its community.”
News shared by Todd on behalf of Waterside Pool. Ed
