Brookvale Park Swimming Pool – Erdington 1909
Brookvale Park Swimming Pool and Historical Interest
Brookvale Park Swimming Pool was fed by a small stream which had its source in the park…. There were three swimming pools. Canon Hill Park, Victoria Park and Brookvale.
..rumours went round that the first lido Cannon Hill Park was fed by the River Rea and that belief persisted till it closed down in 1939…the River Rea was close by but it was 6 ft below the pool level.
The Second “Lido” was opened in 1883 on 9th July in Victoria Park Small Heath, 3 ft at the shallow end and 6 ft at the deep end and designed much like the one in Cannon Hill Park but sadly that shut in 1939 as well.
Will expand to full view. Arrows depict in the region of ?
The third one, Brookvale Park in Erdington Park opened in 1909 and was made out of the disused reservoir and used till 1926….all 3 pools were shut down by concerning health fears…”
Brookvale was previously known as Lower Witton Reservoir is a former drinking water reservoir. It was then in the countryside, and the water relatively clean. Industrialisation and urban sprawl led to the water no longer being fit for drinking, so the City turned to the Elan Valley in Wales for a supply.
The lake is maintained today as a leisure facility by Birmingham Council encouraging lovely days out walking, jogging, bowling, tennis, sailing, enjoying an abundance of wildlife, and picnicking around the pretty lakes.
Thank you: Website lead “jennyann” Birmingham BHWF and Keith Jenny
“Before they were called lido’s they were called open-air pools and the first one in Birmingham to be installed by Birmingham Corporation was in 1873 at […]
Read more… Cannon Hill Park close to two boating pools….
https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/directory_record/9087/brookvale_park
My Goodness Sue, I would love to have pics and any info you have of this dark horse of a pool! It was a complete surprise to me when I discovered it during some research. Thank you for contacting me. Anne
Hello Anne,
I came across your website when I googled ‘Erdington Open Air Swimming Club’, having come across some swimming club photos of my great grandad, who was a club member.
I can see a reference to Brookvale on your website, where the club swam, and was interested to see the picture of the lido building.
I have a few photos of club members, taken inside the lido – two are dated (1914/15 and 1920)
I wondered if you would be interested in seeing them?
Anne: I am waiting with anticipation!