£3m renovation work on historic baths under way
MODERN MAKEOVER FOR CITY GYM AND SWIMMING FACILITY
This is a 100-yearold building we’re reinvesting in, so the people of Hull can use the facility
RENOVATION work worth £3m is under way at Beverley Road Baths in a bid to bring the historic building into the 21st century.
Workers have been restoring historic features on the building, which first opened in 1905, as well as fitting new heating and electrical systems.
Refurbishments to the grade twolisted building also include building a larger gym, restoring the original one and refitting the swimming pool and changing rooms.
Cllr David Craker, portfolio holder for culture, leisure and tourism at Hull City Council, said the work meant residents would be able to use the “fantastic” building long into the future.
The councillor added the baths were set to reopen next May.
The works come after the council agreed to increase the total budget for the Beverley Road and Albert Avenue baths restoration to £7.5m at the start of this year.
The new budget is up from previously estimated cost of £4.7m.
Internal refurbishments are set to get under way in October, with repairs to the building’s roof and exterior set to be finished by December ahead of scheduled May opening.
Cllr Craker said the project was currently on budget, despite delays caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
He said: “This a 100-year-old building that we’re reinvesting in, so the people of Hull can use this facility well into the future.
“Coronavirus has been a challenge for everyone. But this building was in need of repair, and it’ll be a big boost to Hull’s leisure offering once it’s finished.
“When you look at the building it’s fantastic, the brickwork is beautiful. I was a regular swimmer here before it closed.
“We’re continuing to look at where we can invest to make similar improvements for Hull.”
Cllr Shane Mcmurray, member for Central ward, said the works were the latest to come in the wider Beverley Road regeneration area.
He said: “We’re hoping the the works will raise people’s feelings about the Beverley Road area.
“I also hope that will give local people here something to look forward to after everything they’ve been through with coronavirus, and it will improve their health, too.
“It also improves the council’s overall leisure offering and will bring more locals to this area.
“Before, our offering was considered second-class to private gyms, now we compete directly with them.
“Restoring historic buildings like this also give us a direct link to the past. People can use a building that’s been here for more than a century.”
Gary Horth, the council’s project manager at the site, said the refurbishments would make the building “maintenance proof” for the next 20 years.
He said: “We have some delays because of coronavirus and the thing about working on a listed building is that you never know what you’ll find along the way.
“Once we got up the scaffolding and to the roof, we found the stone work needed repairs and the windows had to be replaced.
“The issue is you can only do much because its a listed building.
“But the important thing is that it’s maintained, and these works will make the building maintenance-proof for the next 20 years. I think people will be amazed when they see what we’ve achieved.
“As well as putting modern equipment and systems in we’ve restored some of the original features.
“The colour scheme around the swimming pool will be the same as it was when it opened.
“These baths opened in 1905. I like to think we’re restoring it back to its original state, but as a version that’s fit for the future.”
The council is currently undertaking an £18.5m project of investments into leisure facilities across Hull.
Albert Avenue Pools is also set to be restored at a cost of £4m, which is set to see its outdoor lido reopen after 25 years. The facility is due to remain open until works begin next spring.
The recently renovated Ennerdale and Woodford Leisure Centres are now open to the public. it
David Craker
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