Summer season set to start at Abbey Meadow
Families in the Vale are getting ready for a summer holiday of splashing, swimming and fun at Abbey Meadow outdoor pool in Abingdon, which is currently being prepared to open for its summer season.
The pool will open ahead of the school summer holidays on Saturday 22 July – a few days earlier than originally advertised – and will be open every day alongside the splash pad in the park until the start of September.
Cllr Debra Dewhurst, Cabinet Member for Leisure Centres and Community Buildings at Vale of White Horse District Council, said: “We’re now getting ready to open the pool and are looking forward to lots of happy visitors enjoying it during the summer holidays. The outdoor pool at Abbey Meadow is the perfect place to have fun and on a hot day makes you feel like you’re in a holiday resort. I can’t wait to take my children along this year.”
The GLL team, which manages the site on behalf of Vale of White Horse District Council, is now working to get the pool and changing area ready, which takes a few weeks to do. This includes a deep clean of the pool, an inspection before any water is added, filling the pool, getting the water to perfect temperature, and training staff.
Alex Jewers General Manager for GLL at Abbey Meadow Pool said: “The team are looking forward to welcoming back everyone to the pool for a summer of family fun and are working hard to ensure we are ready to open the pool on Saturday 22 July.
“The kiosk which is already open has had a great response to its new and improved furniture allowing visitors to enjoy one of our new and improved speciality coffees on the banks of the River Thames.”
Vale of White Horse District Council, which owns the site, agreed in 2021 with its leisure contractor GLL that the pool would open for a for a six-week season over the summer, which is its busiest time of year.
The district council continues to explore more climate friendly technology that could be installed to help save energy costs and help the environment.
Cllr Dewhurst added: “The pool is popular during the school holidays, but it is costly to run and we have to balance this with the vital services we manage in the Vale.
“We continue to look into ways in which we can save energy and running costs, but for now, making sure the pool is open at its busiest time of the year is our priority. We’re so lucky to have this facility and I encourage anyone locally to come along this summer and enjoy it with family and friends.”
Bookings for the pool will open for members and season ticket holders 7 days before the pool opens and 5 days before for non-members. It is advised that visitors book before they arrive via the Better UK app or website.
