Attention: You are using an outdated browser, device or you do not have the latest version of JavaScript downloaded and so this website may not work as expected. Please download the latest software or switch device to avoid further issues.

News > News > The swimming pool - then and now

The swimming pool - then and now

Our swimming pool always inspires strong memories with the ONs so we dug up some photos from the archives to show how it has changed over the years.
21 Jul 2023
Written by Rebecca Roberts
News
A diving competition (undated)
A diving competition (undated)

Whenever ONs visit the school after many years, they are always interested in the swimming pool. Before the current swimming pool was built, Adams students swam wherever they could - the canal, local pools and rivers. An on-site swimming pool was talked about from the turn of the century, but was finally built in 1958 thanks to the family of Kenneth Leach who was the chairman of Governors at the time.

As the pool was open air for most of it's time, it was vulnerable to the elements and nature - there have been tales of breaking through the ice and fishing frogs out of the pool before pupils jumped in. 

The pool was refurbished in 2015 - the cover and heating system were put in place to enable all year round use. The sides of the cover lift up to enable the whole school to spectate swimming events to fit around for the sides. However, these days, the school is so big that the event split over several days and age groups. This year's House Swimming consisted of 90 races overall!

It's obviously a vast improvement on what it was, although students still have to run around the back of the sports hall in their swimmers to get from the changing rooms so there is still room for improvement!

You can share your memories and photos of the swimming pool by adding your comment or photo below.

 

Photo gallery

To view this News Article

Similar stories

Our IT Manager, Mr Hampton, has been fundraising for his granddaughter, Zoey, and two other children to receive a bionic… More...

ON Adam Coomer took part in a ceremony to re-dedicate a memorial tree at Longford to ON wartime hero, Geoffrey Purslow. More...

We said our formal goodbye to Dr Pack on Thursday in the Headmaster's garden. More...

Most read

Big School Library

We are starting to plan for ON reunions for next year More...

Image courtesy of Dr Enmarch

The school was sorry to hear the sad news on the passing of an Old Novaportan, Steven Doody (1978-2024). More...

From left, ONs Michael Waldron, Nigel Williams and Headmaster Gary Hickey

Historical flag returns to the school after 50 years of travels. More...

Have your say

 
This website is powered by
ToucanTech