The outdoor pool at Abingdon’s Abbey Meadow is to have longer opening hours this summer to help meet the additional demand while the swimming pools at the White Horse Leisure and Tennis Centre are closed for essential maintenance. Abbey Meadow pool will open for the summer season on Saturday 28 May, just in time for the spring bank holiday. Between 28 May and 3 July it will be open for public use between 9am and 6pm. Then, between Monday 4 July and Saturday 10 September, while the pools at the White Horse Leisure and Tennis Centre are out of action the outdoor pool will open for longer each day to meet the increased demand and all lessons will take place, at their scheduled time, at Abbey Meadow. A temporary marquee with seating will be available in the Abbey Meadow pool grounds to help accommodate the increased numbers and the café will be open for hot and cold refreshments and snacks. Revised Abbey Meadow outdoor pool schedule 4 July to 10 September: Monday to Friday
- 6.30am to 3.15pm – public swimming
- 3.30pm to 6.30pm – swim school only
- 6.30pm to 8pm – public swimming
Saturday
- 8am to 11.30am – swim school only
- 11.30am to 1.15pm – swim school and public swimming
- 1.30pm to 6pm – public swimming
Sunday
- 9am to 6pm – public swimming
Cllr Charlotte Dickson, Cabinet Member for Leisure at Vale of White Horse District Council, said: “The longer opening times mean that there is plenty of opportunity for people to go swimming throughout the summer. I’m sure that all those due to join swimming lessons will be pleased to see that their sessions can go ahead at Abbey Meadow. “We’d like to thank GLL for putting plans in place to ensure that can happen, and for arranging the temporary facilities at the site which will help us accommodate the increased numbers. “Following the public response to our consultation last year we agreed to keep the pool open and will also be making improvements to the changing rooms and wider Abbey Meadow area after the 2016 season has ended. It would be great if all those who voted to keep the pool open came down and enjoyed the facility this summer.” Ben Whaymand, Partnership Manager at GLL, said: “The extended opening times at Abbey Meadows Outdoor Pool gives great opportunities to ensure the swimming programme from White Horse Leisure & Tennis Centre can take continue throughout the summer.” “Swimming outdoors is fantastic experience and hope that our customers from White Horse Leisure & Tennis Centre enjoy this change whilst these works take place.”