Super, splashing, great. Celebrating 50 years of ‘the Commie’
Fifty years ago tomorrow, the Royal Commonwealth Pool was opened by Princess Anne. Kerry Teakle of Edinburgh Leisure looks back at five decades of the iconic building
Although bathing became popular during the Industrial Revolution, it was not until the end of the 19th century that organised provision was made in Edinburgh. Between 1887 and 1901, six indoor baths were built in various parts of the city. In addition to swimming these establishments provided hot baths and remedial baths including Turkish and Aerotone, a forerunner of the Jacuzzi. In 1936, a modern outdoor pool was built at Portobello, providing first class salt and water bathing from mid-may to mid-september.
The policy, back in 1969, was to provide a ‘three-tier distribution of facilities, in addition to the existing pre-war pools.’ The Royal Commonwealth Pool was instrumental in this and it was planned that it would provide not only teaching, recreational swimming and diving for a large number of users, but also training facilities and full provision to international standards for competitions, including the 1970 British Commonwealth Games.
Steeped in history
The pool was commissioned by the City of Edinburgh Council under a plan by the then Lord Provost, Sir Herbert Archbold Brechin in 1966 as part of a wider project to bring the Commonwealth Games to Edinburgh, hosts in 1970.
Construction began in 1967 and was completed in 1970. The architecture was by Robert Matthew Johnson Marshall with structural input from Ove Arup & Partners.
The foundations of the Royal Commonwealth Pool were on the site of Thomas Nelson’s ground (Printers and Publishers, which is opposite on Holyrood Road to where the printing works used to be and now the site of the Scottish Widows’ building). The Parkside Bowling Club was one of the recreational amenities provided by the company that allowed the ground for the building of The Royal Commonwealth Pool.
In the swim for the 1970 Games
The Royal Commonwealth Pool was opened by Her Royal Highness, The Princess Anne on Friday, 16 January 1970, on the invitation of the Lord Provost, The Rt Hon James W Mckay.
The 1970 British Commonwealth Games (Scottish Gaelic: Geamannan a ‘Cho-fhlaitheis Bhreatainn 1970) were held in Edinburgh from 16 July to 25 July.
This was the first time the name British Commonwealth Games was adopted, the first time metric units rather than imperial units were used in all events, and also the first time the games were held in Scotland.
Also, these games saw the first unique Games trademark logo: an emblem showing the Games emblem intertwined with a St Andrews Cross and a thistle.
Diver, Sir Peter Heatly
Scottish diver Peter Heatly (9 June 1924-17 September 2015) who won gold medals at three consecutive Commonwealth
Games, became the first man to break the water at the diving pool at the Commie Pool. Peter Heatly was Vice Chair of the Organising Committee for the 1970 Commonwealth Games and Chairman of the Commonwealth Games Council for Scotland.
Heatly was appointed Chairman of the Scottish Sports Council in 1975 and, having developed strong links with the Commonwealth countries at Edinburgh, he became chairman of the Commonwealth Games Federation from 1982 to 1990.
That period included the return of the Games to Edinburgh in 1986, a move in which he played a pivotal role. Though it had budget problems, the Games looked set to emulate the success of the 1970 edition, until Margaret Thatcher’s stand against sanctions on South Africa provoked a boycott of the Games.
Heatly’s association with the Commonwealth Games was unique, with him attending 17 consecutive Games from 1950 to 2014 in an official capacity as competitor, manager, organiser, Chairman of the Federation and, latterly, as Life Vice President of the Federation.
Twice president of the Scottish Amateur Swimming Association, the second time being for the Centenary Year in 1988, Heatly was awarded a CBE in 1971, created a Deputy Lieutenant of the City of Edinburgh in 1984 and Knighted in 1990 for his services to sport. He was inducted into the Scottish
Sports Hall of Fame in 2002, the Scottish Swimming Hall of Fame in 2010 and the International Swimming Hall of Fame in 2016.
His grandson, James Heatly, continues to make a splash in the diving world, as well as training at the Commonwealth Pool. He dived in the 2014 Commonwealth Games cheered on by his grandfather.
A memorial plaque and The Sir Peter Heatly Meeting room were dedicated to Sir Peter Heatly at the Royal Commonwealth Pool on 16 September 2016 and James had the honour of cutting the ribbon.
Great lengths – splashing out
Whilst not a Victorian pool, the category A-listed Royal Commonwealth Pool is so much more than Edinburgh’s only 50 metre pool.
Sitting in the shadow of the spectacular Arthur’s Seat on Dalkeith Road, ‘the Commie’ offers a wide range of modern health and fitness activities for all the family. It is the only venue to host three Commonwealth Games in 1970, 1986 and 2014.
The pool was closed from June 2009 for major internal remodelling, reopening in March 2012.
The project, led by Frank and Charlie of S&P Architects (now Space & Place Architects) began in August 2009, cost approximately £37 million, and included new 25 metres (82ft) diving and teaching pools as well as improvements to the changing rooms, café, reception, and the dive gym.
The City of Edinburgh Council’s redevelopment revitalised this light and airy 1960s building, giving it a new lease of life in time for the 2014 Commonwealth Games, and a role as host of the diving competitions.
In October 2015, the addition of a 1m platform to the world class diving facilities made it possible to specifically launch
Edinburgh Leisure are asking swimmers to share their memories of this iconic building by filling in one of the specially designed commemorative postcards
coaching for children with a wider range of needs. Part funded by Sport Scotland, the new 1m platform joined Olympic standard facilities including 5m, 7.5m and 10m platforms, and three 1m springboards.
On the crest of a wave
Today, The Royal Commonwealth Pool is used for swim and dive coaching for both children and adults; offers recreational swim facilities including Aquadash and water-based fitness classes including Aquafit and Hydrospin; has a café, Clambers soft play and a gym, which is popular with members of the public; and hosts major swim competitions and events; and of course, has hosted three Commonwealth Games.
Join in the Golden celebrations
Edinburgh’s Got Soul Choir will be kicking off the golden celebrations in full voice at 10am tomorrow, with a rendition of ‘Happy Birthday’, as Scottish diver James Heatly cuts a giant replica cake of the Commonwealth Pool, made by West Lothian Cake-tastic, with enough slices to feed 500 lucky customers.
The candles will be blown out by three-year-old Sophie Ramsay, youngest granddaughter of Charlie Ramsay, 76, who was the first employee to be appointed at the pool in August 1969, where he worked latterly as the Lifeguard Training Manager, until his retirement in 2006.
A number of other events marking the occasion include a free exhibition about the history of this iconic building in the reception foyer, along with some specially commissioned prints by Edinburgh-based photographer Soo Burnell, which complement her ‘Poolside’ photographic artworks.
Pay-as-you-go customers will be able to swim or try the gym for 50p and the morning Aquafit class will include 1970s music and a water-based game of pass the parcel. There will also be prize draws taking place throughout the day.
Remember when?
At 50 years old, the Royal Commonwealth Pool is rich in history. Old or new, Edinburgh Leisure are asking swimmers to share their memories of this iconic building by filling in one of the specially designed commemorative postcards, available from the reception desk and before posting them in the 50th birthday postbox. Anyone remember the Commie flumes? The best stories will be displayed on one of the exhibition gallery walls.
● Royal Commonwealth Pool, Dalkeith Road, Edinburgh, www.edinburghleisure.co.uk/ venues/royal-commonwealthpool