A HISTORIC Overton swimming pool reopened with a splash last weekend having been closed for almost two years.

Overton’s outdoor swimming pool had previously been run as a joint venture between Overton Primary School and Lordsfield Swimming Club, but in 2017 the school had to withdraw from the partnership due to a lack of funds.

But now, having negotiated a new lease with Hampshire County Council, Lordsfield Swimming Club has reopened the facility in time for the summer season.

Around 40 young swimmers took to the pool on Saturday to celebrate the occasion.

Lordsfield Swimming Club chairperson Lauren McCann said: “It’s been a lot of work to conclude the lease and get the pool ready to open on time.

“It’s been a real team effort over almost two years’ — but we’ve done it.

“It was just brilliant to see the youngsters enjoying the water on Saturday, and we’ve already given out the first certificates of the season.”

On top of all the work in securing the new lease, the club’s volunteers have been busy preparing the pool for the summer by upgrading the plant room and constructing a new access path.

Lauren added: “The pool is now in better shape and able to run more automatically and efficiently which should help us to reduce costs.”

“Running a pool isn’t cheap and the ethos of the club is to provide affordable swimming to local residents so anything that helps keep the bills down is great, especially now the club is responsible for 100 per cent of the costs.”

“We’ve also trained a number of new volunteers and re-trained existing volunteers to staff the pool as Pool Rescuers and First Aiders, and as Plant Operators and water testers to maintain the plant and ensure safe water.

“It’s a real community success story and shows what people can do when they come together with a common purpose – by the community for the community.”

An official opening has now been earmarked for late June.