Pool staff prepare for open air season (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Pool staff prepare for open air season

HIGHWORTH residents are hoping for warm weather later this month so they can enjoy a dip in their open air pool.

The lido at the Rec opens for the summer season on Saturday, April 24.

Managers are hoping to repeat the success of last year.

In previous years, the pool has suffered at the hands of vandals. Supervisor Jenny Maccready said: "We had no vandalism last year, just lots of hot days. We are the only outdoor pool in the county, so pop along for a dip."

Although the pool attracts around 20,000 visitors a year, it is still making a loss.

Trustees who run the facility are trying to raise £800,000 to build a roof so it can be used all year and generate more cash.

At present it is open between April and September.

The appeal total so far stands at about £322,000, and it is hoped the rest will come from a landfill tax credit.

Some of the cash has been used to pay for an automated system which adds chlorine to the pool. Until now it has been left to pool staff to ensure chlorine is added at the correct time.

Swimmers are invited from 1pm on the opening day.