Albert Avenue Pools, Hull new £10 millon lido, opens with giant hook a duck competition

Albert Avenue Pools and Fitness in Hull has been officially opened by the Lord Mayor, with a giant game of hook-a-duck in the new lido following a major £10 million refurbishment project 

Albert Avenue Pools and Fitness first re-opened to the public in August with 16,148 people walking through its doors in the first month.

The project, led by Yorkshire and Lincolnshire construction firm Hobson & Porter, included building a large new gym and fitness studio, remodelling, refurbishing and redecorating the existing building, replacing all mechanical and electrical systems, and installing new heating and ventilation systems. 

The scheme has also seen the construction of a brand-new outdoor heated lido, replacing the original one which closed more than 30 years ago.

“The transformation of Albert Avenue Pools has been a fantastic project to be part of,” said James Prest, Project Manager for Hull Esteem. “Working in partnership with the council, our contractors Hobson & Porter and the local supply chain to develop this much loved facility into a vibrant modern leisure centre that the people of Hull can enjoy for years to come has been an absolute pleasure. Not only does it see the outdoor lido reopen after many years, but the new gym and fitness studio creates more space for people to use and stay active.”

60 rubber ducks launched into the lido

Following the unveiling of a commemorative plaque, by Lord Mayor Cllr Kalvin Neal, the hook-a duck schools competition that was launched over the summer by the project’s contractors through the Esteem Consortium, Hobson & Porter, was judged.

More than 60 large rubber ducks, decorated by year six pupils at schools across the city, were launched into the lido with the winning design receiving a class swim lesson.

“It has been fantastic to see so many schools getting involved in this competition, with some excellent designs for us to choose from,” said Cllr Rob Pritchard, portfolio holder for culture and leisure at Hull City Council. “With Hull Fair now open, it feels very appropriate to have a giant hook-a-duck only a few hundred metres away!”

The winners will receive the unique opportunity of a class swim lesson in the lido next summer – something that hasn’t taken place in the lido in over 30 years.

Richard Hunter, Managing Director from Hobson & Porter said: “The response to the hook a duck competition from local schools has been amazing, with a really high standard of entries. It’s been a brilliant way to mark the competition of this flagship project whilst also educating the school children on the importance of water safety.”

“Albert Avenue Pools & Fitness is now a superb addition to Hull’s leisure and fitness estate and Hobson & Porter are incredibly proud to have played a part in realising this bold and exciting vision.”

Find out more about Albert Avenue Pools & Fitness and book your swim.