IT WAS 30 degrees, the breeze was light and the sun rose ahead of a beautiful day.

No, it wasn’t a moment out of a Queensland spring morning.

That’s how warm Portland’s 50m outdoor swimming pool got to on Wednesday when it opened for the first time after months of being shut down.

Forty people enjoyed a swim in the fine weather on opening day, delighted at the chance to glide through the pool’s calm waters again.

Portland Leisure and Aquatic Centre Manager Kerri Jennings said the pool was able to reopen following the easing of some COVID-19 restrictions, with bookings required for lap swimming sessions on the hour between 6 and 10am and 2 and 6pm weekdays and 8 to 11am on weekends.

Just one of the centre’s five swimming pools is allowed to open at the moment.

No changing rooms or showers are accessible under the limited operating conditions, however toilets are available.

Ms Jennings said up to 20 swimmers are allowed in the pool at a time, with up to three people a lane.

Bookings can be made by phoning 5521 7174 or by going to grampians.ymca.org.au and following the Portland and then swimming links.

* Ms Jennings said 15 staff have been able to continue working at PLACE because they qualified to receive JobKeeper.

She said she is also awaiting for approval so the centre’s outdoor group training and outdoor personal training sessions can return.

It is hoped they can return from this Monday, September 21.