Free day for Portishead pool supporters

Portishead Open Air Pool is to throw open its doors this weekend to say thank you to those who have supported the attraction during the 2009 summer season.

The pool, which is run by the Portishead Pool Community Trust, is to close for the end of the summer on Sunday.

And as a thank you to all those who have supported the pool during its first season under the management of the trust, entry to the pool will be free to all on Sunday from 8.30am to 7pm.

This season has been a huge success, with more than 30,000 people visiting the pool, compared to just 8,800 last year when it was under North Somerset Council's control.

The authority wanted to close the lido to save cash, but following the successful Save the Open Air Pool (STOP) campaign, backed by the Evening Post, it was taken over by the trust.

The pool underwent a lightning quick makeover in May as part of the TV programme Ty's Great British Adventure.

American TV star Ty Pennington, a team of experts and hundreds of volunteers and businesses from the community packed into the pool over just six days to transform it into a Mediterranean oasis.

Pool trustee Roger Whitfield said: "Our first season has exceeded all our expectations.

"We expected around 20,000 visits and have gone over the 30,000 mark, which is fantastic, despite the weather not being as good as we had hoped.

"In recognition of all the support this pool has received from the community, we have decided to open the doors to everyone free of charge all day.

"This is our way of saying thank you to everyone who has used the pool, and to give an opportunity for people who haven't yet tried it to give it a go."

After the pool closes on Sunday, a series of improvements and maintenance work will be carried out during the winter.

Plans include redecorating the changing rooms, installing disabled and family changing rooms and putting a roof over the newly-built pool entrance.

There are also plans to relay the floor at the entrance and finish off painting the exterior of the building.

Pool trustees are appealing for people to come and help with the work and will be organising a number of volunteer days throughout the winter.

And they are urging people to keep putting their spare change in the collection boxes around the town during the pool's closed season.

Mr Whitfield said: "After this Sunday we will be winterising the pool ready to re-open next season, but we won't be sitting around all winter doing nothing.

"In fact, this winter we have a packed schedule of works to improve the pool, improve disabled facilities, improve family facilities and if possible to add new features. Ty and his team gave this pool a real boost, but six days was not long enough to do everything.

"With the support of the local community and our volunteers we will continue to renovate and refurbish the pool to ensure its future for years to come."

Although the pool is closing, the Lockhouse Lounge will continue to open through the winter. Bosses are introducing an expanded menu and are taking bookings for Christmas parties.

For more details on the volunteer days, go to www.portisheadopenairpool.org.uk.