Govanhill Baths

Govanhill Baths
Main pool
Main pool, spectator seating
The "steamie"

Govanhill Baths is a Category B listed Edwardian public bathhouse at 99 Calder Street, Govanhill, Glasgow, Scotland, designed by the architect A.B. McDonald and opened between 1912 and 1917.[1]

Design

Govanhill Baths is Glasgow's last surviving Edwardian public bathhouse.[2] Designed by A.B. Macdonald, the building originally contained public baths, a wash house, and three swimming pools. The wash house, at the rear of the building, was converted to a launderette in 1971.[1]

History

The foundation stone for the new baths and wash-house was laid on 3 July 1914 by the Lord Provost of Glasgow, Sir Daniel Macaulay Stevenson.[3] An important function of the building in the early years was to provide clothes-washing facilities for local people whose tenement homes typically had no such facilities. Most homes in the area also lacked bathing facilities.[2] Local rumour has it that the baths were used as a temporary mortuary for casualties from bombing during World War II.[2][3]

Closure

The closure of the baths was announced in the Glasgow Evening Times on 6 January 2001. Glasgow City Council argued that the baths had too little use and were too expensive to refurbish and keep open.[3] The campaign to save the baths began almost straight away, and resulted in a community protest occupation of the building from 17 March until 7 August that year. Sheriff's officers accompanied by mounted police finally removed the protesters and shuttered the windows and doors with steel.[4] A picket line remained outside the baths for the following year, supported by local community donations.[5]

Govanhill Baths Community Trust

The Govanhill Baths Community Trust campaigns to reopen the baths as a "Wellbeing Centre", supported by community trust initiative, the Center for Community Practice with enterprise, research and development as well as a charity shop, and subcribing members. The trust manages community well-being projects and even a newsletter.[6]

Today

Since its closure in 2001, Govanhill Baths has been the site of a variety of events meant to campaign for and promote awareness, including theatre and musical performances, art installations, and a skate-park. These events sped up action to reopen the pools, which began experiencing severe decay to the interior.[2]

In 2012, the smallest of the three pools, the "teaching" pool, was reopened and locals were interviewed expressing relief and recounting long memories of the bath house. This step was financed by the National Theatre of Scotland for use in their production, Lifeguard. A three-step plan was made to transform the building with Turkish and sauna suites, an allotment, a community café and music venue. Some had to be turned away from the front doors when they arrived with towels and swimming gear as the initial refilling was a test of the pools integrity to confirm its viability for returning to use.[5]

The baths are not just used for swimming. The building was a planned venue for the Big Huge Poetry Splash in 2012, part of National Poetry Day,[7] and the following year the Baths hosted its first marriage ceremony.[8] Artists who have exhibited at the baths include Anthea Hamilton and Nicholas Byrne, as part of the 2014 Glasgow International biennial visual arts festival.[9]

References

  1. 1 2 "99 Calder Street". Historic Scotland. Retrieved 28 September 2014.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Levene, David (3 April 2014). "Disused Govanhill baths become art venue – in pictures". The Guardian. Retrieved 4 October 2014.
  3. 1 2 3 Timeline. Govanhill Baths Community Trust. Retrieved 18 November 2014.
  4. ↑ Origins. Govanhill Baths Community Trust. Retrieved 5 October 2014.
  5. 1 2 McCloskey, Katy (24 May 2012). "Back in the baths: Govanhill celebrates as water fills pool". STV. Retrieved 4 October 2014.
  6. ↑ Intro. Govanhill Baths Community Trust. Retrieved 4 October 2014.
  7. ↑ Provan, Gillian (27 September 2014). "Writers bring poetry to life in the heart of the city's famous landmarks". STV. Retrieved 27 September 2012.
  8. ↑ The Story of Glasgow’s Govanhill Baths. Scotcampus, 25 June 2014. Retrieved 4 October 2014.
  9. ↑ "Exhibition Anthea Hamilton & Nicholas Byrne Love". Glasgow International. Retrieved 4 October 2014.

Coordinates: 55°50′18″N 4°15′47″W / 55.8383°N 4.26319°W / 55.8383; -4.26319

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