Abingdon: Abbey Meadows outdoor pool to stay shut until late July

Abbey Meadows pool was at risk of closure in 2015, but reopening in 2018 after a £1.3m refurbishment

An outdoor pool in Abingdon will remain closed until the start of the summer holidays because it is "very expensive to run".

Abbey Meadows pool was at risk of closure in 2015 - but reopened in 2018 after a £1.3m refurbishment.

Vale of White Horse District Council said it will look for ways to have a "longer season in future" but the facility will be closed until 20 July.

One campaigner said it was a wasted opportunity.

Naomi Richardson campaigned to get the pool revamped.

She said: "I think we can say that it's disappointing - that would be an understatement.

"I feel very frustrated about the potential that is being wasted, both for the town as a whole and the opportunities that are being denied people to enjoy the facility."

Vale of White Horse District Council said the pool will be closed until 20 July

A spokesperson for Vale of White Horse District Council said: "Abbey Meadows outdoor pool opens for its most popular time of the year, the summer holidays. This year the pool will be open from Saturday 20 July through to early September.

"We're proud that we can provide local residents with such a fantastic way to spend their summer holidays.

"It's very expensive to run though, which is why we have to be careful about how long it's open for," they added.

"Across the country, many councils are facing such difficult financial situations that mean they're unable to open their pools at all - thankfully, as we've been careful with our finances we're not in that situation."

Hinksey Outdoor Pool in Oxford has already reopened for the summer season. The Riverside Pools in Wallingford will reopen on 25 May.

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