Vale of White Horse District Council is to replace Abingdon’s Abbey Meadow Outdoor Pool with a brand new pool in 2017.
The new pool will include a shallow beach area allowing easy access to the water, great for children, and a deep water area for more experienced swimmers and diving.
The ambitious plans will also see the pool changing rooms and toilets refurbished, and some structural renovations will ensure the facility can be used for many years to come.
This is the third recent announcement from Vale of White Horse District Council about improvements to the Abbey Meadow area. In November the council revealed plans for a new £320,000 play area to be open by Easter 2017 and, earlier this week, confirmed £230,000 plans for new public toilets, changing facilities and an accessible path which will be in place by next summer.
While the outdoor pool will be closed for construction over the summer the popular splash park will continue to be available for young children to use, along with the kiosk. Those wishing to swim will be able to use the nearby White Horse Leisure and Tennis Centre. Work on the new pool is expected to finish by the autumn.
Cllr Matthew Barber, Leader of Vale of White Horse District Council, said: “This year we saw more than 33,000 visitors to the outdoor pool, our busiest summer for many years. Abbey Meadow is a much loved facility in the Vale. The replacement work we’ll carry out in 2017 will mean that future generations will also be able to enjoy an outdoor swim by the River Thames in Abingdon for many years to come.”
Cllr Charlotte Dickson, Cabinet Member for Leisure at Vale of White Horse District Council, said: “Last year we asked residents and visitors what improvements they wanted to see in Abbey Meadow. In 2017 they will get to see many of these improvements take place - we are replacing the outdoor pool, building the new play area, and providing new public toilets, changing facilities, and pathing to make the area more accessible for everyone. It’s going to be a really exciting time for everyone in the Abingdon.”