But yesterday the gates of Hilsea Lido shut for what could be the last time as the city council turned its back on the historic pool forever.
Now the only hope for its future rests with a band of volunteers who need cash to pay for repairs and upkeep.
The Hilsea Lido Pool for the People group is determined to take over the lido and restore it to its former glory.
But members admit it will take a huge effort, and until the council is satisfied the money can be found and the group can run the pool successfully, it will stand empty.
Hilsea ward councillor Alistair Thompson said: 'This is a sad, sad day. Thousands of people will remember days out to the lido and the fun they had.
'Now the best and only hope for the future of this historic pool is this small group of people, and if they fail then it's over.'
Adelaide Laffey, 84, of South Parade, Southsea, used to take her children to the lido in the 1950s.
She said: 'It is the end of an era. We used to have great fun down at the pool on sunny summer days – it was a huge part of our lives and I have fond memories of it.
'It is sad that the pool is closing after all these years, and I very much hope we see it open again.'
The council decided enough was enough as the costs grew – last year it was paying a subsidy of £22 per swimmer just to keep it open.
It was agreed the opening of the new Olympic-sized swimming pool at the Mountbatten Centre next spring would mark the end of the lido.
Council leader Gerald Vernon-Jackson said: 'Every penny that was used to run the lido will now go towards running the Mountbatten Centre. It is very unfortunate but we just can't afford to run both.'
Cllr Vernon-Jackson said he hoped to have signed the lease for the management of the pool over to HLPP by April next year.