Rival joins bid to bring back pool's glory days

james73 · Rival joins bid to bring back pool's glory days

CAMPAIGNERS who want a historic Glasgow swimming pool to reopen have made up
with one of their rivals - giving new hope for its future.

Govanhill Baths protesters once faced Shettleston MSP Frank McAveety in court after
angry clashes in Calder Street.

But now he has joined a committee set up by a charitable trust to find the estimated
£7.5million to convert and refurbish the baths into a healthy living centre.

Mr McAveety said he had always backed plans for a community-run facility, but
he admitted there had been strong disagreements about how the pool should be
run after protesters rejected Glasgow City Council's decision to stop funding it.

The differences came to a head in 2001 when 300 police officers helped council workers
break into the building to end a 141-day occupation.

That triggered rioting on South Side streets and years of friction between campaigners
and politicians.

But today the MSP and former Sport Minister said there had been a lengthy "healing" process.

He said: "For the first time there is a plan that can really take off.

"There's a partnership between the baths trust, elected representatives and council
officials to deliver something of real value to the community."

The MSP has already made a three-figure donation from an Edinburgh charity event
to the campaign and is one of hundreds of people who have donated goods to the charity's
shop in Calder Street. He joked: "Just look for the Armani suits.

"But really, the shop gives everyone a chance to help out."

Andrew Johnson, a spokesman for the Govanhill Baths Community Trust, said a new
project committee was set up following a breakthrough meeting with council regeneration
boss Steve Inch this month.

James H

poodiecat

Moved to Govanhill/Queenspark when I first arrived in Glasgow in 1998 and really liked that pool, the people who used it had a strong sense of community that is very rare for big cities, it was lovely.

scallopboy

Of all the areas it makes sense to have a small community pool it's here. There used to be ladies only days which was ideal for a lot of the local population who are rather keen on not having the sexes mixing. It is also nice just to go for a swim sometime without a pool full of wains larking about and pishing in it.

cybers

loved this pool as it was more or less exact same layout as the Whitevale baths...I am sure there was a chemical added to the water that turned a purple colour if ya had a piss in the late 90's here

Don't think they still use it though as it was like someone had shouted shark at a beach in the 70's...
Mass exodus from the water with one dumbass with a purple halo

Used to love these cutout style steps the top one was bloody magic for the fake turd from Tam Sheppards Used to hide behind the changing cubicle door and wait for the scream.

Glory days indeed ...

Unh@ppyb@st@rd

went there a few times but usually Pollokshaws, its in same state i think.