Banbury lido reopens to the public after £160k revamp

The refurbished 50m outdoor swimming pool at Woodgreen Leisure Centre in Banbury reopened to the public on Monday 19 May. Cherwell District Council has invested £130,000 into improving the popular facility ahead of its opening. Upgrades at the site include new showers and toilets, as well as improvements to the changing room facilities.

The facilities have also been made more accessible with the installation of a step-free shower for people with disabilities. The improvements at the centre – which is operated by Legacy Leisure, a partner of Parkwood Leisure, on behalf of the council – have been paid for by Section 106 monies secured through legal agreements with developers. In addition to the pool itself, the outdoor areas at Woodgreen also have a flume, an interactive aqua splash zone for toddlers, and a snack bar.

Councillor Rob Pattenden said: “The Woodgreen pool first opened to swimmers in 1939 but with this year’s renovations and the addition of an eco-friendly solar thermal heating system in 2022, it is very much moving with the times.

“Swimming is such an accessible and beneficial form of physical exercise and so it’s a brilliant way for us to invest in our communities’ health and wellbeing.”