As the warm weather begins to make itself known, the ‘jewel in the crown of Petersfield’ is getting ready for its 2025 season.

Petersfield Open Air Pool will open on Saturday, April 12 for two weeks of cool water swimming before the heated season kicks off on Saturday, April 26.

This year is an exciting one for the charity, with a new extended opening til January 2026, a full programme of summer evening events, and plans for a permanent sauna.

A spokesperson for the pool said: “We believe community is at the heart of the work we do, and we have a great on-site team who ensure everyone has a warm welcome.

“We are very safe too, if you haven’t been to the pool for a while I think you’ll be impressed by the quality of the facilities and cleanliness of the whole site.

“We would love to see more people from Petersfield being involved in the pool, by swimming, volunteering, coming to us with cool ideas for partnerships of collaborations, making a donation or just popping by for a coffee.”

Memberships packages are already up for grabs, with the early bird heated bundle available till Saturday, March 22. Children’s swimming lessons will resume on Monday, April 28.

The pool can now be used for private hire for two or three hours, with optional add-ons such as a BBQ or the portable sauna.

Tom Callingham will be back for his 4th season as general manager with Edurne Lasquibar, who will be starting her second season as assistant manager. They have been working hard over the winter, including trialing and selecting a new booking system which will have better functional capability, and it is hoped it will make things run smoother.

Alongside the management team, staff, seasonal pool attendants and volunteers help keep the place running, with support from the community and select trustees who lend their expertise and experience.

“This place survives because of community support and things like maintenance day,” said chair and trustee, Sheila Spence.

“At the end of last season, which was the first time we opened for cold swimming until January. People were writing us and saying, ‘thank you so much for being open’.

“’You're a key part of my of mental health’, ‘you help my whole mental health during the winter’. It is the kind and touching thank yous which makes everybody feel good for putting the energy into keep it going.”

Last year, the pool team was recognised with an Owl Award by the Petersfield Society, for creating an “accessible and welcoming facility” that allows swimming for all ages and budgets.

The Society also said the improvements that had been made to the pool were a “fine example of a community working together”.

At the end of last year’s season, the pool team said: “We want to thank everyone who made this season unforgettable. From refreshing swims, to magical events and inflatable sessions, its been an absolute pleasure sharing the pool with you. See you in 2025!”