AN URGENT appeal has been launched by Petersfield Open Air Pool after news £150,000 of repair work needs to be done if it is to open again next spring.

Pool trustees hope to gain some of the money through grants.

In the meantime, to ensure the pool opens next year, the extensive and major work needs to start as soon as possible – but the trustees don’t have the money to start the work.

This includes replacing the old perishing cast-iron underground pipes with plastic ones, and replacing the bottom drains. Neither pipes or drains meet current standards.

The pool’s skimmers are also in severe disrepair and leaking water and cracks in the pool fabric need to be repaired to stop serious leaks that have the potential to saturate the surrounding ground.

The pool was built in the 1960s, and the materials used, cast iron and concrete, are now at the end of their life.

Pool manager Deborah Mitchell said: “We are in need of £150,000 to be made up of donations, grants and our own savings.

“So we are asking for help with donations towards the work, to ensure this wonderful community sanctuary is usable for many more decades to come – and, more importantly, so we can open in April next year.

“These issues put the viability of the pool shell into grave danger so action needs to be taken now before securing all the money for the works. But we simply don’t have the full funds for this project.

“In the meantime the trustees’ committee and management team are doing all they can to secure grant funding towards these huge costs.

“We are also appealing for fundraising ideas, and with everyone coming on board the financial burden of this massive repair project can be reduced.”

The management team, the trustees’ committee and all the swimmers together make a very large number of people – and the pool has 4,500 followers on Facebook.

There is a hope that many small donations from them will generate enough money to start the work – or even pay for all of it.

Deborah added: “As well as appealing to the community of Petersfield and surrounding areas to help us secure funding, we all working hard to generate funds for these much-needed works.”

To donate, visit the Just Giving web page at www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/poasp?utm_term=WyEe5Jd9v

Cheques can be made payable to Supporters of Open Air Pool, SOAP, Petersfield.

Christmas shopping can be done online through the easyfundraising website at www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/petersfieldopenairpool/

For more information, and to suggest fundraising ideas, email [email protected]

For details about the pool in the Festival Hall car park, visit the website at www.petersfieldpool.org