GOVANHILL BATHS FIGHT WILL GO ON TO OPEN THE POOL Trust hopes for funding toreopenvenueby2019
AFTER 14 years of financial struggle and opposition they could have given up.
But the team behind the multi-million refurbishment of Govanhill Baths are determinedly l ooking to the future.
After forming in 2003, the Govanhill Community Baths Trust (GCBT) has been working to reopen the venue as a wellbeing centre for the benefit of the local area.
Several design plans later and the group has finalised a three-stage scheme that should be open four years from now.
GCBT chairman Andrew Johnson said: “Our plans for the building are a comprehensive response to constant calls from the local authority, the government and the local community for better health facilities in the area.
“But our plans also include regenerating the Baths for the wider Govanhill community, creating l ocal economic growth, employment opportunities, crime prevention, educational development, arts opportunities and – with the return of swimming – fitness and health.”
The future plans for Govanhill Baths, designed by Nord Architecture, should, funding allowing, be completed by 2019.
Phase 1, which began in 2013 and will be fully finished in 2016, includes the refurbishment and opening of the front suite of the building, which was unveiled in 2012.
It will also see the reopening of the ladies and toddlers/ training pools with an arts space, room for gardening and a roof garden.
The original steamie will be partially turned into an event hall and there will be a Turkish suite and sauna, gym and healthy eating café.
Phase 2 is planned for 2016 and 2017 to include the full development of the steamie as an events and community space.
Then, in 2018 and 2019, the main pool should be open to complete Phase 3.
However, the future of the Baths hangs on funding with requests for £1.2million from the Heritage Lottery Fund and £400,000 from Historic Scotland underway.
If the current business plan for the Baths goes ahead, Glasgow City Council has agreed it will transfer ownership of the building to the Trust and the community.
It is leased at present from the council, allowing it to open for community activities.
The front suite of the Baths is constantly bustling with community groups, music, cooking, political events and even a legal office, the Govanhill Welfare Centre.
Princes Regeneration Trust were appointed Project Managers for Phase 1, which was partially paid for by a £34,000 grant from the Big Lottery Fund.
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The bustling front suite of the Baths is evidence, the Trust says, of how useful the building could be to local people.
It was opened by Hollywood actor Peter Mullen and now-First Minister Nicola Sturgeon in February 2012 after five years of fundraising secured £400,000 in grants.
They are in action six days a week with more than 8,000 people visiting the venue since September 2013.
Andrew added: “What we really need now to ensure the future of the Baths for the local community and to make sure our plans come to fruition is more funding and more support from Glasgow City Council who we are currently in talks with.