The north-east’s only open air swimming pool enjoyed a glorious day of sunshine for its opening weekend as hundreds of people flocked to the attraction.
Stonehaven’s Open Air Pool was formally opened on Saturday for the 2017 season by Kincardineshire Lord-Lieutenant Carol Kinghorn – in what will be the iconic attraction’s 84th year.
Swimmers of all ages made a splash in the heated outdoor pool whilst being entertained by the Newtonhill Pipe Band and the pool mascot Splasher.
Mrs Kinghorn said: “I am always delighted to be involved with the Stonehaven Open Air Pool, because it is such an important attraction for the town and indeed the whole area.
“I am aware that the Friends of the Pool have been working tirelessly since it closed last September to ensure it is ready and looking its best for the new season.”
The facility first opened in 1934 and is the only Olympic-size, heated seawater, Art Deco open-air pool in the whole of the UK.
It is maintained by the Friends of the Pool, a registered charity, who have contributed an estimated 5,000 hours of volunteer labour and highly skilled work towards refurbishing the ladies’ changing rooms and the gents’ toilets.
Chairman of the Friends Pete Hill said: “It came as a very nasty shock to discover, just a couple of months ago, that the damage done by high winds towards the end of last season had rendered one of our thermal pool covers virtually useless and we have had to replace this at very short notice.
“Fortunately, the other cover can be repaired, but it is not expected to last longer than this summer season.
“Needless to say, we are busy fundraising for the two covers and the replacements will have a specification which we believe will be up to whatever the summer weather may bring.”
The pool is open daily until Sunday, September 3. Full details of opening times can be found on the official website www.stonehavenopenairpool.co.uk
