RECORD-breaking temperatures this summer have put Petersfield Open Air Swimming Pool on course for its best-ever season.
Detailed figures for the entire swimming season have not yet been worked out, but more than 30,000 visitors had already gone through the gates by the end of August, and the pool was busy right up until Sunday evening, when it closed for the winter.
Members of the open air pool management committee hope that the good attendance figures will help to finance plans for the poolÕs future and pay for vital repairs, including the replacement of the covers and the sand filter system.
Other improvements which are scheduled to take place over the winter months include widening the entrance gate to give access to large wheelchairs and double baby buggies, and resurfacing the picnic and barbecue area.
Exploratory work is also due to take place in the next few weeks to see if it would be possible to install solar heating. This would reduce fuel costs and also enable the pool to be used for longer, making it available to swimmers at weekends in March and October.