The swimming baths, or lido, was the jewel in the crown of Pontypridd. Opened in the years after the opening of the park in 1923, the lido was a popular attraction for people living in Pontypridd and the surrounding towns and valleys. The lido was closed briefly during the late 1980's and permanently since 1991. The building has since been left in disrepair, made worse by an arson attack on the building in the last few years.

Since the transfer of the park trusteeship, firstly to the old Taff Ely Borough Council, then to Rhondda Cynon Taff CBC in 1994/95 from the Pontypridd Town Council's Trusteeship, we have observed a continual decline in the fabric and architectural integrity of the town centre and the sorry demise of our swimming pool. Since 1993 there have been 4 consultants reports, and to our astonishment, if the section 106 planning agreement for the Angharad Walk is to be implemented there will be a 5th report within 3 years from 9 December 2004. What is going on?

The Lido was registered as a Grade 2 listed building by CADW in 2001. Since then, the building has been a target for vandalism and arson attacks. Rhondda Cynon Taff council, as the trustees of the park, have made no visible efforts to maintain the site, using the interior for storage and leaving the exterior surround to decay.  Since 2005, Ynyangharard Park has held a Green Flag Award which sets the national standard for parks and green spaces in England and Wales.  One of the guidance points in the manual for the award is Conservation of the Built Environment which states:

"Many parks contain buildings or artefacts of historical or design importance. These need conservation to ensure that their fabric does not deteriorate and that they continue to play an active role in the life of the park."

We are campaigning for the return of the trusteeship of the park to the town council and the residents and tax payers of Pontypridd, where it belongs. We also want an immediate restoration and refurbishment of the building in line with its original Edwardian integrity, albeit given a 21st century ambience. As Ynysangharad Park is a registered charity, fundraising by the local community and through applications for grants from Objective 1 funding, lottery grants and other sources, would enable the trustees of the park to restore the area.

View a picture of Ynysangharad Park Lido in its heyday here -  http://www.tlysau.org.uk/en/item1/29655