ARE YOU IN SWIM FOR NEW POOL AT VICTORIA BATHS?
DO YOU want to be the first person to take a dip in Victoria Baths in 25 years? Two lucky swimmers will get the chance to become the first people to take a swim in the historic baths for a quarter of a century. An auction has opened on eBay offering swimmers the privilege.
IT is one of the oldest swimming pools in the country... but no member of the public has had a dip in it for 25 years.
Now, two lucky swimmers will get the chance to become the first people to take the plunge into Manchester’s Victoria Baths. The centuryold pool in Longsight was long admired for its magnificent surroundings and elegantly tiled Turkish baths. It has been restored after closing in 1993 and falling into disrepair and has been used as a conference and exhibition space.
But now its swimming pool is up-and-running again.
The two winners – who will be chosen after bidding on eBay – will not only be able to christen the swimming pool but will also have the whole building to themselves from 10.30am to 11am when it finally re-opens to the public on Sunday.
The auction is underway with bids starting off at £30 and already reaching more than £100. Bidding will close on Friday.
All the general tickets for the pool sold out long ago, explaining the enthusiasm from bidders on eBay after the Victoria Baths Foundation decided to sell two last tickets in their fundraising auction called ‘First in for the swim.’
Bosses at the Hathersage Road venue hope they will raise more cash to fund the next phase of restoration, focusing on the Turkish baths. Jill Earnshaw, chair of the Victoria Baths Trust, said: “Our public swim is a special moment in our fundraising plans. Even though it is only for one day, we cannot wait to see this building once again bustling with members of the public enjoying a swim in the spectacular setting of our gala pool.” For more information visit victoriabaths.org.uk