Thanks to the incredible work of local Member of Parliament Penny Mordaunt MP together with the brilliant trust at Hilsea Lido and the hard working management of Moneyfields Football Club, today the Chancellor has announced £20m for Hilsea Lido Trust, a new Linear Park (the longest urban park in the UK), a new cruise ship terminal to boost cruises hip tourism and £986k for Moneyfields Football Club.
Copnor Ward councillor Lewis Gosling welcomed the news and said, "Fantastic to see the support for Moneyfields in today's Budget. Sport and especially outside sports facilities are so important not only for physical health but also the mental health of both users and spectators. We are lucky to have such an excellent MP in Penny Mordaunt who recognises the benefits of local sports clubs and what they mean to our communities."
Charlie Douglas, local community campaigner said, "I know the value of community and outdoor sports and this is welcome news that will hopefully protect and safeguard the clubs future."
Hilsea Lido was announced to be receiving £20m from todays budget and.
Cllr Daniel Wemyss, Hilsea Ward added, "Penny has been a champion of the Lido since I can remember and only through her hard work and dedication coupled with the tireless efforts of the Hilsea Lido Trust members and volunteers at the trust has the Lido been able to operate on a skeleton budget. I've seen from afar how tough it's been for them, but they've always soldiered on."
"I welcome this funding, I have been swimming at the Lido since I was a boy and it has been in need of investment for a number of years now. With this money, the Lido can be returned to its former glory to the benefit of the people of Hilsea and beyond."
Finally, Cllr Scott Payter-Harris concluded: " It's excellent to see the Levelling Up fund supporting Hilsea Lido. The trust have put an immense amount of time into keeping the Lido open and this funding will enable them to push on to create a swimming experience in the north of the city like no other. People are often unaware of the work that goes on behind the scenes to bring these projects alive and Help and Sabrina have moved mountains to bring the Hilsea Lido from an abandoned pool to a project that is about to fly to full restoration. It's amazing."
