It is one of Scotland’s most celebrated buildings, but members of the public have been unable to enjoy its facilities for the last two years, as it has been closed for refurbishment.
The new-look Royal Commonwealth Pool in Edinburgh has now been refilled with water, but while these pictures, by Herald photographer Gordon Terris, may tempt keen swimmers to take the plunge right away, they will have to wait just a few more weeks to enjoy a dip.
Known affectionately as ‘the Commie Pool,’ the leisure centre, near Holyrood Park in Edinburgh, was opened in 1970 for the Edinburgh-based British Commonwealth Games, as it was then titled. Diving and swimming at the event were dominated by Australians, including Don Wagstaff (who won gold in the 10m and 3m) and Karen Moras (who won three swimming gold medals).
The facility’s connection to the Commonwealth Games will continue in 2014 as it is due to host the diving events in the Glasgow Games. The British Swimming squad have also selected the facility as the venue for their final training camp in July ahead of the London Olympics.
Scottish swimming champion David Wilkie (inset), who won 200m breastroke at the 1976 Olympics and 1974 Commonwealth Games, will officially open the pool at a ceremony on March 20th, the day before the public can dive in.
Life guards and members of the Commie's leisure team (pictured above) have been trying out the facilities in their new workplace. The refurbishment, by Graham Construction, has been funded by Sport Scotland and the City of Edinburgh Council and cost £37m. New features include a 50m eight-lane pool.
The 25m diving pool is up to 5m deep with a moveable floor and a dry dive facility including a trampoline and springboards for training.
The development has seen the building stripped back to a bare shell and rebuilt, retaining all the key features of the original A-listed structure while incorporating state of the art equipment.
City leisure convener Deidre Brock said: “We know huge excitement is building across the city and beyond as people look forward to rediscovering - or indeed discovering - their beautifully modernised pool.”
The Royal Commonwealth Pool will open to the public on Wednesday March 21.
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