Portobello Swim Centre
Portobello Swim Centre is a multi-facility leisure venue in Portobello, Edinburgh. Built by Edinburgh City Architect Robert Morham in 1898,[1] it comprises swimming pools, a gym and fitness studio, and Edinburgh's only authentic and publicly available turkish bath, one of three remaining in Scotland. The salt water baths were completed in 1901.
Portobello Swim Centre | |
---|---|
Former names | Portobello Baths |
General information | |
Status | Category A listed building |
Type | Leisure |
Completed | 1898 |
Owner | Edinburgh Leisure |
Design and construction | |
Architect(s) | Robert Morham |
It has been given Category A listed building status by Historic Environment Scotland.[2]
Refurbisments
In 1934, the Edinburgh Corporation modernised the facilities, installing a filtration system for the seawater pool.[3]
In 1967, a £48,000 refurbishment saw the building's indoor pool, changing area and toilets renovated along with the installation of an illuminated ceiling and metal-cored sheeting to conceal the original Victorian balconies. The original cast iron columns were also enclosed in mosaic and their ornamental column caps wrapped in mooring rope.[4]
In 1998, the pool opened after a £4.25 million modernisation and renovation.[5]
In 2019, it was announced £2.5 million had been allocated to refurbish the interior of the building, create new changing rooms, upgrade fitness and gym facilities, and install energy-saving technology to make the baths more environmentally-friendly.[6]
References
- "In pictures: Edinburgh's Victorian swimming pools and where to find them". Edinburgh Evening News. Retrieved 28 December 2022.
- "PORTOBELLO SWIM CENTRE, WITH STACK AND BOUNDARY WALLS, INCLUDING POST BOX AND LAMP STANDARDS, 57 PROMENADE, BELLFIELD STREET, EDINBURGH (LB27261)". portal.historicenvironment.scot. Retrieved 29 June 2019.
- Aqua (30 March 1934). "City Baths - Water with a "Champagne Bubble"". Edinburgh Evening News.
- "Modernisation of Portobello indoor baths". The Scotsman. 31 August 1967.
- Hendry, Steve (16 April 1998). "We're in the Swim! - New Life for Historic Pool".
- "£2.5 million refurb for Portobello pool which has last of Edinburgh's Victorian-built Turkish baths". www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com. Retrieved 29 June 2019.