It’s been a real tonic, to me, to see some pools make such a valiant go of the 2020 season. Reminds me that a lot can be achieved if one hitches up one’s socks and cracks on in the face of adversity. One such inspiration has been Jubilee Park, a fabulous, heated 33m pool set in beautiful grounds in the charming Lincolnshire spa town of Woodhall Spa.
They were one of the first pools to open, whether indoor or out, once the go ahead was given thanks to the sterling planning of their super manager Joe and his team. I managed to visit them in early October when the weather was a good deal less than clement. But despite the lashing rain and the challenge (for those used to a fully heated pool) of end of season water temps of around 20c their swim sessions were well attended and the aquarobics faithful turned out in force. I had the pleasure to witness one young man, who must’ve been in his early teens, swim for his entire hour-long session. Joe told me the lad was a regular user of the pool and has raised a lot of money to support this much-loved community-run facility. Young people like that give me a great deal of hope. Not many would be so attached to a local indoor leisure centre pool.