A leisure centre in Wallingford is celebrating a successful summer and has revealed new plans for next season.
South Oxfordshire District Council and its leisure provider, Better, are celebrating the successful season at Riverside Park and Pools.
The outdoor pool welcomed almost 16,000 visitors this season - which ran from May 25 until September 8 - up 17.8 per cent compared to 2023.
The council says the increase in visitors was "not only due to the great weather at the beginning of August" - with 2,275 visitors during the first week of that month – but also thanks to the "introduction of new activities".
This included thee redeveloped splash pad, which had a £296,450 investment last season.
READ MORE: Police issue warning following reports of hare coursing
As well as the return of regular activities such as aqua aerobics and swimming lessons, some of the other offerings included a First Aid and Water Safety Day on August 16, which included a children's water safety lesson, followed by an adult CPR and First Aid session.
This year saw the return of the Summer Solstice event, where the pool stayed open from 5am until 9pm so swimmers could enjoy both the sunrise and sunset.
Better, who run the pool on the council’s behalf, launched an ‘End of Season Dog Swim’ which was a "big success".
This sold-out event allowed dogs to take a splash in the pool, accompanied by their owners.
According to the council, the campsite has continued to be extremely popular, with guests frequently praising the experience and sharing positive feedback about their stay.
Looking ahead to the next season there are plans to expand the site with more pitches and a fully accessible Changing Places facilities will be available at the camping block toilets.
Work is currently underway to improve the accessibility at the site with the installation of accessible moorings and improved pathways.
Georgina Heritage, cabinet member for communities at South Oxfordshire District Council, said: “This year’s visitor numbers show just how popular this amazing destination is for the local community as well as visitors from further afield.
READ MORE: Oxford Covered Market receives praise from Nottingham
"I’m really pleased we kept this popular facility open for longer to fit in with the good weather.
"There is more good news to come for the next season with the opening of a fully accessible Changing Places, alongside our major investment in accessible moorings at the site.
"I’m also looking forward to the return of this year’s wonderful Doggy Swim.”
Kevin Williams, Better Partnership manager for South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse, added: “The team responsible for running Riverside this year have again done an outstanding job of delivering a great service to the people who used the facilities, whether local to Wallingford or visitors to the town.
"The feedback we’ve received throughout the season has been overwhelmingly positive and we look forward to welcoming everyone back in 2025.”
Help support trusted local news
Sign up for a digital subscription now: https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/subscribe/
As a digital subscriber you will get:
- Unlimited access to the Oxford Mail website
- Advert-light access
- Reader rewards
- Full access to our app
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here