Work to refurbish the much-loved outdoor pool in Abingdon’s Abbey Meadow is set to start later this month.
The £1.3million project will see the small pool combined with the larger pool to create a beach-style walk in area, allowing easy access to the water for young children or those with disabilities, and a deep-water area for more experienced swimmers.
A rubber crumbed surface will be installed to create a safe area around the pool and in front of the changing rooms. The changing rooms will also be refurbished.
The equipment used to run the swimming pool will be replaced with new energy efficient system which will help to cut maintenance and operation costs.
The work is expected to take around 28 weeks to complete with the pool due to open, weather permitting, in time for the 2018 summer season. It will be carried out by Vincent Stokes who specialise in building and refurbishing swimming pools and other leisure facilities and have worked with a number of high profile national leisure providers.
The work to refurbish the outdoor pool will mark the culmination of a major project to improve Abbey Meadow to attract more visitors to the area. The new play park opened earlier this year to an overwhelmingly positive reception, while new public toilets, changing facilities and an accessible path will be installed over the coming months.
Cllr Charlotte Dickson, Cabinet Member for Leisure at Vale of White Horse District Council, said: “The outdoor pool in Abingdon really is a much-loved local facility. The current pool area has seen better days. This refurbishment work will ensure that the pool can remain in operation for future generations and that it provides a much better environment for residents and visitors to the area.”
Cllr Matthew Barber, Leader of Vale of White Horse District Council, said: “I’m sure people will be very pleased to see work start at the pool later this month. This investment, along with the other improvements to the wider Abbey Meadow area, will help make this a must-visit venue.”