Twinning agreement for Portishead Open Air Pool?

TRUSTEES from Portishead's open air pool are considering setting up an innovative twinning agreement with volunteers at a lido in Portsmouth. The special arrangement comes after trustees from the town's pool visited Hillsea Lido to see the work being done by a team of volunteers who have taken over the pool from the council. Portishead Pool Community Trust took over the pool in March 2009 after North Somerset Council threatened to close it to save money. The news sparked the Save The Open Air Pool (STOP) campaign, backed by the Evening Post, to save the lido which celebrates its 50th birthday next year. The campaign attracted the attention of American TV star Ty Pennington who arrived at the lido to work with local residents and businesses to give the lido a lightning quick makeover into a Mediterranean oasis in just six days. The pool re-opened under the management of the trust in April 2009 and has seen huge success with visitor numbers soaring over 30,000 in the first season compared to 8,000 when it was under the control of the council. A number of improvements have also been carried out at the pool over the past two years including the installation of a pool cover and a makeover of the children's swimming pool. Portishead Pool Community Trust spokeswoman, Jane Humphreys, said: "Many of the challenges and problems facing the two teams are similar and trustees are hoping to continue to work together in the future. "This may include setting up a "twinning" arrangement between the lidos which would enable season ticket holders to use their tickets at either pool. "Mutual support will hopefully extend to other open air pools that have been saved by community groups." Members of Hilsea Lido Pool for the People Trust took over their pool in 2010 and have been in contact with Portishead trustees to gain information and advice about the process. Last year members of the trust visited Portishead to learn about how the pool operated and to speak to volunteers and trustees. Mrs Humphreys added: "Their story is very similar to ours. "Hilsea Lido had been progressively run down by the council, who were going to close it, and then a group of people got together and saved it. "The asset transfer is actually the easy part and the real challenge is running these pools. "It's very useful to exchange ideas and information with others doing something similar, and we hope to continue supporting each other in the future." The Hilsea pool – which is unheated – is 67 metres long and 4.6 metres deep compared to Portishead lido which is heated and 33 metres long. The Hilsea team plan to capitalise on the size of their unheated pool by offering deep water training as well as traditional swimming. Mrs Humphreys added: "We came away very impressed with all the work that has been done so far and plan to make a return visit once the pool is open to the public."