A community paddling pool in Streatham might not open this summer, which would make it the second south London pool to announce it will be closed for the holidays.
The paddling pool on Streatham Common was first created in 1938, and since then has been a ‘well-used’ communal spot.
In 2016, after it had been out of use for a few years, it was saved from closure by Streatham Common Cooperative (SCCOOP), who say they’ve done their best to keep it in use.
Vicky Peet, Operations Manager for SCCOOP, explained that due to a lack of funding and resources over the years, it has become progressively harder to open.
“We’re not in a position to open it without support,” she said.
In previous years, they managed to raise enough funding to keep it open. But this year, Vicky said they will need a lot more to keep it open long-term.
“If we don’t raise at least £20,000, we won’t be able to open it this year.”
She said this figure is due to extra charges, including water charges. “We were never charged before,” Vicky continued, “but to be honest I understand that [Lambeth Council] is strapped for cash like all councils are. So I get it, but it is an extra cost we will have to cover.”
This comes as news that Tooting Lido will also be closed this summer for repairs.
Doreen Barton, part of the Streatham Mums Network, said it would be a real shame.
“I was a childminder for 10 years and used to use the pool regularly,” she explained.
“This is for children whose parents can’t afford to pay to go on holiday. It was free to use. I would take the under 5s during the week in the lovely hot weather. We’d have a great time.
Doreen added that since it brought such joy to so many people, it is up to the community to come together to save it.
“What we need is the momentum for people to get behind SCCOOP and their campaign to bring the pool back,” she said.
“News has started to spread and people are so disappointed. Yet another facility for people to be outdoors inexpensively on their doorsteps has been taken away – and we can’t let that happen.”
Members of SCCOOP and local parents’ associations are working on a crowdfunding page, which they hope will be up by next week.
