Swimming Pool Scene HISTORIC POOLS
ABOVE: Notable for its Victorian architecture with bright interiors and its old-fashioned poolside changing facilities, Warrender Swim Centre was restored in 2005. Pic: Edinburgh Leisure.
The cost of providing public swimming facilities has historically been significantly higher than the potential receipts. However the gap has shrunk over the last 20 years as many operators, in particular leisure trusts and community trusts, have developed efficient models of operation that tailor provision well in response to local need, maximise income and keep costs down. Running historic public pools at break-even or better has become increasingly common, though operators will always have to work very hard to achieve this. Says Gill: “One of the aims of Historic Pools of Britain is to share models of good practice in terms of historic pool operation and to promote historic pools collectively to a national audience. In the long run we hope this will impact on
popularity, usage and subsequent income.” Historic Pools of Britain is a members organisation, set up to represent all indoor and outdoor historic pools, reflecting the fact that they make a significant contribution to the social and architectural history of Great Britain and continue to play an important role in communities.
Established just a year ago, the organisation already has 15 member pools and a multi-pool operator member – Fusion Lifestyle – which runs several successful historic pools and is also investing in new restoration projects.
Says Gill: “Despite being faced with some big challenges, we also have some great opportunities. Whilst many people are faced with limited income, swimming is a relatively cheap
ABOVE: The term ‘historic’ is used to cover any pool that is pre 1940, plus later pools which are either listed or are deemed to be of historic value. Pic: Historic Pools of Britain.
ABOVE: Portobello Swim Centre is home to Edinburgh’s only publicly available authentic Turkish Bath and an aerotone. Pic: Edinburgh Leisure.
Swimming Pool Scene HISTORIC POOLS 47
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