Prior to the building of the lido, there were two substantial bathing ponds to the North East of the site. Even these have been absorbed and the ubiquitous splash pad is now where part of a pond once stood. Victoria Park is one of the oldest purpose built parks in London and this lido is one of Herbert Morrison’s London pools and declared by him as “The East End’s Lido”.
Used as a water supply during WWII until it was bomb damaged by a V1 rocket. Repairs took until 1952 to be completed when the entrance front had a distinctly 50’s feel canopy and font for the signage. It was damaged by storms in 1982 and car parking was more important than repairing it so it was demolished in 1990.
The park also had a pagoda, built in 1875 and demolished in 1956. This has since been rebuilt because a pagoda is more useful than a pool.
| Name | Victoria Park Lido Grove Road, LB Hackney, E3 5TB |
| Built / opened | 16th May 1936 |
| Cost | £26,000 |
| Dimensions | 200′ x 90′ |
| Capacity | 650,000 gallons |
| Water type | Fresh water |
| Depth(s) | 2′ 6″ to 9′ 6″ |
| Diving boards | Wicksteed diving stage, 5 m. and 3 m. fixed boards, two 1 m. springboards and one 1m fixed board |
| Changing facilities | 504 two-tier lockers (1,008 compartments) |
| Second pool | N/A |
| Spectator seating | |
| Designer | H A Rowbotham and T L Smithson |
| Date closed | 1989 |
| Status | Demolished 1990 |
| On site now | Car park surrounded by “Lido Field”, 27,000 sq. m of grass. |
| Notes | |
| Links | Petition · Rebuild the Victoria Park Lido – United Kingdom · Change.org |
Baths and Bath Engineering, June 1936
New Open Air Swimming Bath, Victoria Park.
LONDON COUNTY COUNCIL SCHEME
Situated in the spacious Victoria Park, Hackney, with the main entrance facing Grove Road, a new open-air swimming bath was opened on May 16 by Mr. Herbert Morrison, M.P.
The whole of the work has been carried out from plans prepared in the parks department of the London County Council and under the supervision of the chief officer of that department.
The swimming bath, which is lined with glazed brickwork, is 200 ft. by 90 ft., the depth at the shallow end being 2 ft. 6 in. and 9 ft. 6 in. to the outlet pipe at the deep end.
Glazed brick lining was chosen primarily for its enhanced appearance and has proved a saving in constructional cost. The method adopted was to build up the brick wall to a height of a few bricks and then fill in the back with concrete. This method eliminated the use of forms which are always an expensive item. The expansion joints consist of compressed cork finished off with bitumen.
The bath has one tubular diving stage, with 5 m. and 3 m. fixed boards and 1 m. springboard: one 1 m. springboard, and one similar board fixed. There are also chutes of tubular construction with stainless steel surface for adults and children. There are six sets of vertical steps leading into the bath.
Filtration Plant.
The filtration plant is of modern design and is capable of dealing with the full capacity of the pool, 650,000 gal., in five hours. The sequence of the plant is similar to that which has been installed in a large number of other baths.
From the large and ample sump in the pool a pipe is taken to the filter room, where it is fitted with a large strainer box for removal of the coarsest impurities. Previous to the strainer box a suitable connection has been made to operate the suction sweeper.
After the strainer box the water is drawn by means of two large centrifugal pumping units, each with a 16 h.p. motor and each capable of delivering 50 per cent. of the water to be dealt with. These pumps have super-sized motors, due to the fact that they will have to deal with exceptionally heavy conditions, and it must be possible to run the plant even at its maximum capacity after the filters have reached what would normally be called their ” dirty ” condition if the bathing load necessitates it.
From the pumps the water passes through a venturi tube, which operates one “Unifilter” positive shunt type chemical injection plant, which is fitted with the latest type of meter indicating the rate of injection of chemical and also indicating that the chemical gear is in full operation. These meters are fitted on a large teak panel in a convenient position in the filter house.
After the water has received a dose of chemical it passes on to two “Unifilter” low-level wash filters of the improved construction, each filter being 25 ft. 9 in. by 9 ft. diameter and divided into two sections, each section being independent of the other and fitted with its independent cleansing and collector system. These filters are of the latest design for washing, and after cleansing they are so designed that the whole of the surplus water which is usually left upon the top of the bed is disposed of. Each filter is also fitted with its own self-inducing air injector for cleansing purposes, but this is so arranged that when the filter plant is in normal operation this air injector is removed from the main circuit and thus ensures the minimum of resistance to the flow of water.
Upon leaving the filters the water receives a small dose of chlorine and ammonia to produce the chloramine treatment before returning to the pool, where it will enter at two points at the deep end and two points at the shallow end. Previous to it entering the shallow end, however, it will pass over two suitable cascade aerators.
It should be mentioned at this point that the arrangement of the plant and pipework has been so designed that if it is decided to instal the ozone treatment at a future date, the lay-out of the plant is quite suitable.
With the auxiliary equipment there is provided a suction sweeper fitted with a long length of suction hose and three floats. The wading pools are in the same circulation system for filtration as the main bath.
Dressing Accommodation
Bathers obtain access to the bath through an arched entrance to the vestibule and pay office. A central corridor leads directly to the cubicles and lockers, females being accommodated at one end of the corridor and males at the opposite end. The cubicles are formed with glazed partition blocks and tiled walls, and the doors are arranged to swing open unless bolted from the inside. The windows are controlled by one gearing.
The lockers, which are along the centre and facing the cubicles, consist of 504 two-tier lockers (1,008 compartments). exterior dimension 72 in by 12 in., supplied in double-sided units, with self-locking clutch bolts. Lavatory accommodation is arranged for each sex central with the cubicles.
The lettering for the men’s and women’s conveniences is interchangeable so that on all-men’s days, or vice-versa, both lavatories may be used. Two large dressing rooms to hold about 50 each are provided for school outings, etc.
Pre-cleansing Arrangements.
Foot and shower baths are provided for use before entering and after leaving the swimming bath. Access to the bath itself can only be obtained through the wading pools which are planned on each side of the office provided for issuing towels and bathing costumes to those bathers requiring them.
The footbath is supplied by two horizontal pipe jets on each side. Scrubbing baths and showers are not compulsory, but attendants may direct any bather to use these if he thinks necessary.
General.
The main entrance has two “Stop-Rush” registering inlet turnstiles which have deep arms fitted with vertical centre rods, and also indicators and foot control gear. At the spectators’ entrances (north-east and south-east) there are two cage pattern inlet turnstiles, registering 7 ft. high by 4 ft. 6 in. diameter, with foot operating gear and indicators. Spectators’ exits (north and south) have two cage pattern exit turnstiles 7 ft high by 4 ft. 6 in. diameter, and the bathers’ exits (north-west and south-west) two cage pattern exit turnstiles 7 ft. high by 4 ft. 6 in. diameter, fitted with sheet iron casings.
The swimming bath surround is paved with cream pre-cast paving slabs, and shingle beaches are provided for sunbathing. Separate lavatory accommodation is given for bathers direct from the paved surround to the bath.
The other buildings for service purposes consist of ambulance and committee room, staff mess room, filter house, and stores.
From the attendant’s control room, he may see the whole interior of the bath.
There are two large, terraced areas for spectators facing the bath, with entrance and exits to the fenced enclosure which prevents spectators using the bathing enclosure. This forms a new feature in L.C.C. baths and includes lavatory accommodation for both sexes.
One of the central features is a cafe 60 ft. by 24 ft., and the necessary servery, kitchen, etc. This is so planned as to be available for the general public using the terraces on gala days, as well as for the bathers. All windows of the cafe (with the exception of one central support pane) are arranged to fold back against the side walls. All interiors are plastered primrose colour, and as much natural lighting as possible has been used.
In constructing the bath, complete with buildings, the ballast excavated on the site has been used for concrete work, thus effecting considerable saving in cost. The total cost of the work, including filtration plant, was approximately £24,000.
Constructional Details.
The brickwork was carried out in Smeed Dean Mulberry stock facings. These are a multi-coloured stock brick set in hydra lime compo mortar, gauged with cream cullamix to obtain a suitably coloured pointing blending with the colours produced in the brick itself.
The dressing rooms and other buildings are covered with a Ruberoid patent insulated fireproof roof, ensuring a comfortable internal temperature in the hottest weather, and eliminating risk of condensation. While its strength permits the employment of wide and economical spans, its total dead load is rather less that 5 lb. per sq. ft. In this way not only is initial cost reduced, but considerable economy is also effected in structural work.
Tentest was used as insulation on top of Ruberoid steel deck roof and as a ceiling below in the dressing room, refreshment room, etc. The roof insulation is part of the standard roof deck construction, but as a ceiling and casing to beams forms a decorative medium which is free from condensation and not affected by the movement and vibration occurring in this type of construction. The ceilings have been panelled out with Tentest cover strips and the whole distempered in a cream colour.
All the metal windows are of up-to-date design and incorporate the curved-on-plan and horizontal bar type. The Plymax flush doors installed are half in. thick, with galvanised steel both sides. The edges of the doors were sealed, so that they were watertight. These doors although only half in. thick are rigid, and it is claimed that they cannot warp or split.
Approximately 250 super. yd. of 12 in. by 12 in. by three eights in. cork tiles of a light shade, wax-polished, have been laid, with a special 2 in. cork cove skirting and 12 in. margin all round of a dark shade.
The whole of the “Attoc” partition blocks and wall tiling amounted to approximately 1,500 yd. The material is fireclay, the glazed surface being fired on. The manufacturers state that it is fireproof, frostproof and is free from crazing. It is manufactured in about 24 colours. The blocks are tongued and grooved. The material has been tested in every way by the Building Research Station, Watford.
Contractors and Subcontractors.
The general contractors for the work were John Mowlem and Co., Ltd., the sub-contractors being as follows:
- Filtration plant – Messrs. United Filters and Engineering, Ltd.
- Artificial stone dressings and aerators – Messrs. Synthetic Stone, Ltd.
- Metal windows – Messrs. Williams and Williams, Ltd.
- Glazed partitions – Messrs. “Attoc” Blocks, Ltd.
- Steel roof decking – Messrs. Ruberoid Co., Ltd.
- Glazed brickwork – Messrs. Farnley Iron Co. (Fireclay Works), Ltd.
- Pre-cast paving slabs – Messrs. National Stone Co.
- Cork flooring to cafe, ambulance room and committee room – Messrs. Jos. F. Ebner.
- Turnstiles – Messrs. Sir W. H. Bailey and Co. Ltd.
- Diving stage, chutes, diving boards and cat ladders – Messrs. Charles Wicksteed and Co. (1920), Ltd.
- Lockers – Messrs. Milners Safe Co., Ltd.
- Copper fleche – Messrs. Fredk. Braby and Co, Ltd.:
- Electric clocks – Messrs. Smiths English Clocks, Ltd.
- Lettering and depth plates – Messrs. Dale’s, Brighton.
- Wall tiling- Messrs. The Kerament Wall and Floor Tile Co.
- Facing bricks – Smeed Dean “Mulberry Facings” supplied by Messrs. The Cement Marketing Co., Ltd.:
- Metal faced doors – Messrs. Venesta, Ltd.
- Ceilings – Messrs. The Tentest Fibre Board Co. (1929), Ltd.:
- Reinforcing fabric – Messrs The British Reinforced Concrete Engineering Co. Ltd.
- Expansion jointing cork – Messrs. Mitchell and Snow, Ltd.
