Architect to talk to pool campaigners

Published on Monday 4 August 2008 10:56

THE architect behind the project to refurbish Glenogle Baths is to address local residents on the future of the popular pool next month.

The Save Glenogle Baths campaign has arranged a public meeting on September 4 at Stockbridge House, Cheyne Street, to give local residents a chance to see what Glenogle will look like when it reopens and ask questions about how the closure will affect swimmers.

Project architect Don Mackenzie will give a 30 minute presentation, followed by a question and answer session with representatives from the city council's department of culture and sport and members of Edinburgh Leisure.

The historic building is due to close on October 19 for the 18-month revamp, before reopening in April 2010.

The 5.3 million project is set to be carried out at the same time as the Royal Commonwealth Pool is closed.

The council has promised to find an alternative, temporary pool for Edinburgh's swimmers while the two pools are shut.

Local councillor Lesley Hinds was instrumental in convincing the council to overturn plans to sell the building for housing, despite 1.8m previously earmarked for the revamp having already been spent elsewhere.

In February, the ruling Lib Dem/SNP administration ended months of uncertainty by revealing it would include the revamp in its forthcoming budget.

Glenogle Baths, designed by architect Robert Morham and opened in 1900, is set to be the last of the city's five Victorian pools to be refurbished, the others being in Marchmont, Portobello, Dalry and Leith.