{{Short description|Swimming pool in Ipswich, Suffolk, England}} {{Use dmy dates|date=December 2023}} {{Use British English|date=October 2013}} {{Infobox venue | name = Broomhill Pool | image = Broomhill Pool, 2007.jpg | image_size = | image_caption = | coordinates = {{coord|52.06834|1.141071|type:landmark_region:GB|display=inline,title}} | mapframe-marker = swimming | location = Sherrington Road, Ipswich | opened = 1938 | closed = 2002 | architect = E. McLauchlan | owner = Ipswich Borough Council | website = [https://broomhillpooltrust.org The Broomhill Pool Trust]
| dimensions_label = Dimensions | dimensions = {{plainlist| *'''Length''': {{convert|165|ft}} *'''Width''': {{convert|60|ft}} }} }} '''Broomhill Pool''' is a Grade II listed lido on Sherrington Road in Ipswich, Suffolk, England.
==Status==
Broomhill Pool opened on 30 April 1938 and closed in the autumn of 2002. The pool is the deepest<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-07-17 |title=History |url=https://broomhillpooltrust.org/the-past/ |access-date=2025-01-15 |website=Broomhill Pool Trust |language=en}}</ref> lido in Britain (jointly with Hilsea Lido) at 15ft deep. At 55 yards x 20 yards and 8 lanes wide, the pool volume is 464,000 gallons/2.1 million litres of water.
The lido was built in 1938 for £17,000 by the County-Borough of Ipswich. It was designed by E. McLauchlan, the County-Borough Engineer and Surveyor.
Broomhill Pool became a Grade II listed building on 23 August 2001.<ref>{{NHLE |num=1389400 |desc=Broomhill Pool |grade=II |access-date=14 May 2021}}</ref><ref>{{HERR |num=1438431 |mname=Broomhill Pool |fewer-links=y |access-date=14 May 2021}}</ref>
The lido is built within Broomhill Park. It is close to Broomhill Library which was built in 1942 as a WW2 bomb-proof decontamination unit. Broomhill Library was Grade II listed in 2012. English Heritage highlighted the "Group value: the relationship between the former gas decontamination centre and the adjacent Broomhill lido holds important group value; the style of the decontamination centre was designed to mirror the facade of the adjacent Broomhill Lido (listed at Grade II), and both were designed by Borough Engineer E. McLauchlan."<ref>{{HERR |num=1590781 |mname=Westbourne Library |fewer-links=y |access-date=14 May 2021}}</ref>
Broomhill Pool is a founding member of Historic Pools of Britain:<ref>{{Cite web |title=Broomhill Open Air Swimming Pool, Ipswich – historicpools.org.uk |url=https://historicpools.org.uk/member_pools/broomhill-open-air-swimming-pool-ipswich/ |access-date=2025-01-28 |language=en-GB}}</ref> "Established in 2015, Historic Pools of Britain is the first body ever to represent historic swimming pools in this country. These unique indoor and outdoor pools make a significant contribution to the social and architectural history of Britain and play a hugely important role in our communities."
Janet Smith wrote in her definitive book, "Liquid Assets" (Published 2005): "Broomhill may lack the national profile accorded to Saltdean, Tinside or Penzance, but it is arguably their equal in architectural significance."
==Proposed restoration== The Broomhill Pool Trust is a registered charity (No.1102659) which aims to restore Broomhill Pool; the last remaining Olympic length, grade II listed lido in Suffolk & Norfolk for full public use.
In December 2017, Fusion Lifestyle secured Heritage Lottery Funding stage 2 full grant of £3.4m. Fusion will invest over £2m.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.ipswichstar.co.uk/news/ipswich-s-broomhill-pool-gets-3-4m-national-lottery-jackpot-for-christmas-1-5326428| title = Ipswich's Broomhill Pool gets £3.4m National Lottery jackpot for Christmas {{!}} Ipswich Star| date = 20 December 2017}}</ref> In August 2018 Ipswich Borough Council increased their commitment to £1.5m to secure the scheme.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.eadt.co.uk/news/ipswich-council-backs-broomhill-with-500-000-1-5666750|title = Watch: Broomhill's restoration set to be secured by extra £500,000 from Ipswich council|date = 24 August 2018}}</ref>
The £7.25m restoration commenced in 2020 and the pool was due to reopen in 2021, however this was delayed and the project now faced a shortfall in funding.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-01-25 |title=Ipswich swimming pool charity's 'last chance' plea to save lido |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-suffolk-64385748 |access-date=2024-03-11 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref>
In January 2024, a funding deal was finally struck between stakeholders Ipswich Borough Council, National Lottery Heritage Fund and Fusion Lifestyle. The restoration is now looking toward completion in 2026.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-01-11 |title=Funding package secured for Broomhill Pool restoration |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-suffolk-67953492 |access-date=2024-02-08 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-01-13 |title=Campaigner delighted that Ipswich's Broomhill lido will reopen |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-suffolk-67959970 |access-date=2024-02-08 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref>
On 12 December 2024, the restoration project's plans were approved by Ipswich Borough Council's planning department.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Online planning information for Application No. 24/00117/LBC |url=https://ppc.ipswich.gov.uk/appndetails.asp?iAppID=24/00117/LBC |access-date=2025-01-15 |website=ppc.ipswich.gov.uk}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-12-16 |title=Broomhill Lido restoration takes next step forward as fresh plans approved |url=https://www.ipswichstar.co.uk/news/24793310.plans-restore-1930s-broomhill-lido-ipswich-approved/ |access-date=2025-01-15 |website=Ipswich Star |language=en}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist|2}}
==External links== * [http://www.savebroomhillpool.org The Broomhill Pool Trust] * [https://historicpools.org.uk/ Historic Pools of Britain] * [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6OvlKgrlwtA Youtube Broomhill Pool 1947 and 2001 footage] * https://web.archive.org/web/20160317123721/https://www.hlf.org.uk/about-us/media-centre/press-releases/major-national-lottery-grant-restore-and-reopen-ipswich%E2%80%99s-grade
Category:Grade II listed buildings in Ipswich Category:Lidos Category:1938 establishments in England Category:Swimming venues in the United Kingdom