DESPITE REPAIRS TO London Fields Lido running into more problems than those previously reported by Loving Dalston, a reopening date has now been set. Hackney council announced today 29 August 2017: “London Fields Lido will re-open on (Saturday) 30 September 2017.”

The statement is precise and emphatic, a contrast with what happened last week when the council responded to Loving Dalston’s enquiries with name-unattributable statements such as “The works have taken longer than expected due to delays in removing the material beneath the pool tiles and digging out the slab in the changing rooms”.

Today 29 August 2017 community services councillor Jon Burke said that extra workers and specialist equipment had been brought in and a canopy built over the pool so work could continue when it rained. (He does not seem to have noticed the canopy is now being dismantled.)

As for possible recompense — lawyers, pay attention — the council said that samples of the screed and other materials had been sent to “a specialist building-investigation company”.

It will be next month before the council received the results of these laboratory tests, which will help to decide what caused the pool tank to start leaking. The council added: “The cause needs to be established before determining whether there is any blame to apportion and what further action, if any, may be taken.”

 David Altheer 290817

* Some other pools: Easily accessible to Hackneyites by bicycle and public transport are Britannia pool and leisure centre N1 5JU; London Aquatics Centre at the Olympic Park E20 2ZQ; Clissold pool N16 9EX and King’s Hall E5 0NU. Outdoors lovers might consider a visit to the 50m Charlton Lido in south London. The new fitness facilities at Queensbridge Sports and Community Centre will also be available to Better members at no extra cost while the lido is being repaired. 

* Backstory: Lido repairs going well, says contractor; Late reprieve for lido; Hiring a contractor is not going swimmingly; Lido’s off-the-wall horror; Hackney pulls plug on Haggy Baths hopes; London Fields Lido lights up; Wetsuits in Hackney lido; Hipster heaven costs Hackney £140,000

* Main picture on this page © David.Altheer [at] gmail.com. Pix of works council-supplied.