A £50,000 facelift at a leisure pool near Wallingford will bring in more swimmers young and old, according to one of its managers.

The pool at Abbey Sports Centre on the Berinsfield estate recently reopened after a six-week refurbishment, which included new mosaic tiling and repairs to the pool itself.

More than 20 schools in the area use the pool in Green Furlong and duty manager Jez Mayo said he hoped the improvements would encourage even more pupils to take up swimming.

Mr Mayo, who works for leisure operator GLL, said: "The pool had not been refurbished for about 20 years and was looking quite shabby - there were even a couple of cracks in the pool, which have now been repaired.

"Pupils come from primary schools across the area including Berinsfield, Cholsey, Watlington, Garsington, Culham and Stadhampton and as well as school swimming lessons we provide our own swimming lessons after school.

"The number of people using the pool has definitely picked up following the refurbishment and I hope that continues. I'm sure this will bring in new swimmers young and old.

"The pool first opened in the 1980s and had not had any improvements for a long time so this work was long overdue."

He added: "We have decorated the pool hall and there are lots of new signs.

"As well as an increase in the number of people attending public swim sessions there has also been more interest from local schools.

"With all the new tiling it really does feel like a new pool."

GLL runs the sports centre on behalf of South Oxfordshire District Council and the centre is a Better leisure centre.

SODC and the county council funded the renovation together with GLL.

GLL partnership manager for South Oxfordshire Ben Whaymand added: "Abbey Sports Centre is now better than ever and I would encourage residents to come along and see for themselves what a great facility they have in the heart of the local community."

Cabinet member for leisure Bill Service said: "The work has made a big improvement to the pool, which will bring in new customers and encourage existing customers to visit more often."

Opening hours are from 7am to 10pm Monday to Friday, and 8am to 5pm at weekends.

Free trial swims at Abbey Sports Centre are on offer and people can book by visiting better.org.uk/guestpasses Anyone with a Better Swim Membership can use pools across South Oxfordshire and the Vale of White Horse District Council areas including Didcot Wave, Wantage Leisure Centre, and White Horse Tennis and Leisure Centre in Abingdon.

For further information visit better.org.uk/memberships

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