City Pool enters age of the gym
Local Democracy reporter WHEN the City Pool opened in 1928, the thought of doing exercise in a group wouldn’t have been at the top of the agenda.
But almost one hundred years later, exercise classes are the norm and studios are a must for any gym.
Plans have been submitted to include two exercise class studios in the main gym at the revamped City Pool.
One of the pool halls is set to be a modern gym and plans show a twostorey glass-fronted studio pod for classes.
Fusion Lifestyle, the charity behind the refurbishments, revealed £5m plans for the Grade II-listed building in 2016 and work got under way earlier this year.
Plans include the restoration of the Turkish Baths, the reintroduction of some swimming facilities, the creation of a new health and fitness facility, improved access for disabled people and a new cafe.
The refurbishment will bring a new lease of life to the City Pool, which has been part of life in Newcastle for decades.
The buildings were opened in 1928 and replaced the original 1839 baths. As one of the first post-First World War public buildings, the City Pool illustrates the civic ambitions and social outlook of the time.
The baths had two large pools which were designed to be floored over in the winter months and used for dances and exhibitions.
During the Second World War the pools were covered over and used by the fire guard and as an emergency telephone exchange before swimming resumed in 1945, and from 1961 the pools were used for swimming for the whole year.
When work began on the building earlier this year, Anthony Cawley, operations director at Fusion Lifestyle, said: “We’re delighted to start the exciting work to bring the Newcastle City Pool and Turkish Baths back to life for a new generation.
“The reinvigorated venue will bring between 100 to 150 jobs to the city.”