AN OLD photo of the EJ Portley Olympic Pool posted on the Warwick - Pictures of the Past Facebook page drew attention from readers, who reminisced about the good old times.

Readers shared their stories of fun in the sun by the pool, where many locals learned to swim and spent their school holidays.

Lou Rankin said she learnt to swim there 50 years ago.

"Spent much of my childhood summers here and have the skin cancers to prove it," she wrote.

Vivienne Simpson also learnt to swim at the pool, which stood on the corner of Albert and Palmerin St.

"I still remember the first time I went in and later into the big pool and jumping off the small board," she wrote.

"Then walked home through the park. So safe back then we didn't need anyone to keep an eye on us."

Many Daily News readers shared their memories of cheering for their school houses at swimming carnivals at the old pool.

Jayne Shelley said swimming carnivals at the old pool were great fun.

"All the students could fit in the grandstands to cheer and heckle across the pool.

"I still miss the fun of the old pool especially the diving boards and slide.

"The 3m board was taken out before the old pool closed which was sad."

There was mourning too for the loss of the old pool, with many saying nothing compared to the good old days.

Kym Manthey said she loved the old pool.

"Sunshine, an Olympic size pool plus the little pool," she wrote.

"They should've left it alone."

Ray Black also agreed the pool should have been left alone.

"Should've kept the pool... lots more room, slide and diving boards," he wrote.

"No doubt now you couldn't have any of those in case somebody got hurt and sued but the olympic size outdoor pool was awesome."

What other readers had to say:

Warwick - Pictures from the past: Old memories to cherish.. and new memories to make.. smile emoticon

My children swim at WIRAC, and I hope they have as many wonderful memories as you all did at the EJ Portley pool.

Michelle Wright: When kids could be kids, & the pool was a fun place to go.

Stephen Buckman: I remember the old pool. But I also remember building the new pool & got to be the first person to fill & test the rapid pool. & the main pool as we filled it with water for the first time.

Colleen Parke: Enjoyed the school swimming carnivals we had there, particularly the inter-school ones.

Tracey Leigh Stone: Omg I remember this and the little foot pools to wash your feet.

Jenene Fisher: Grew up with the old pool, loved the fresh air and sunshine.