IT'S the community swimming pool saved from demolition which now boasts mermaid swims, inflatable fun and a fascinating piece of Southampton's history.
Oaklands Community Pool in Lordshill has been at the heart of the community since 1986.
It was faced with closure following budget cuts by Southampton City Council back in 2012.
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But, following a two-year battle and subsequent major refurbishment, it reopened its doors to the public in January 2015.
As you approach the entrance of the pool, which specialises in aquatic education and recreation, there is a special historical artefact. The shelter and clock from the old Floating Bridge across the River Itchen in Southampton is now often used as a place to stop and chat for swimmers before or after their dip.
Oaklands offers everything from general public swims to mermaid swims where you can don your fish tail and live out your mermaid fantasies.
There's lane swimming, an impressive array of aquafit exercises classes and a learn to swim programme which ranges from water babies to Rookie Lifeguards, which gives older children the skills they need to be confident in the pool or the sea Oaklands also lays on National Pool Lifeguard Qualification courses for the lifeguards of the future.
Inflatable fun and float sessions take place regularly in the main and learner pools and both pools are also regularly hired out to community users such as sports clubs or those organising a pool party for their keen little swimmer.
Adam Robinson, who manages the pool, told the Daily Echo: "We are a small, close knit team that pride ourselves on the services we offer. We try to offer as much variety in our services as we can.
"Our supporters keep coming back because they love the sessions we offer and the fact we reinvest in our services and our infrastructure.
"The pandemic forced us to look at what we offer and how we deliver it. We managed to stay afloat and protect our services. Since then, we have gone from strength to strength and we look forward to the future.
"We hope that our current supporters but also our future supporters continue to support the charity and work with us to continue long into the future."
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