Leith Waterworld

Leith Waterworld was a leisure pool in Leith, Edinburgh, Scotland. It was built on the site of the former Leith Central railway station. It was the only pool in Edinburgh with flumes, and there was also a fast river run. It was closed in January 2012 in order to save funds for the Royal Commonwealth Pool's renovation and re-opening. A campaigning group against the closure, called Splashback, were funded to carry out feasibility studies but the property has been converted into a children's soft-play centre.[1][2]

History

The pool opened in 1992, and was then closed in November 1999 after problems were found including tiles coming away from walls, electrical problems and rusting structures. It reopened in 2002 and a new multisensory play area was introduced in 2003.[3] Repairs were estimated to have cost £270,000.[4] There were previous threats to close the pool to save money in 1997 and 2005.[5]

On 22 December 2011 Edinburgh Council voted to close the pool.[6] It closed on 8 January 2012.[7] Campaigners continued to protest and lodged an official complaint against the closure.[8] The closed pool became an issue in the Edinburgh 2012 elections, referenced at local hustings.[9][10] In September 2012, Splashback's bid to reopen the facility was rejected and they were told to come back with a better submission.[11] In May 2013 the decision was made to accept a proposal to redevelop the premises as a soft-play area.[12] Splashback accused Edinburgh councillor Richard Lewis of breaking his word about reopening the pool.[13] The Council leased the property to A & G Leith Limited who converted it, at a reported cost of £1.3 million, into a children's soft-play centre which is operated by Funzone Edinburgh Limited.

References

  1. ↑ "Council alternatives to Leith Waterworld closure 'not good enough' | Edinburgh News | STV Local". Local.stv.tv. 28 November 2011. Retrieved 2 December 2011.
  2. ↑ "BBC News - Leith Waterworld to close in January". Bbc.co.uk. 1 December 2011. Retrieved 2 December 2011.
  3. ↑ "Pool play area makes multi-sense - News". Scotsman.com. 29 March 2003. Retrieved 2 December 2011.
  4. ↑ "Waterworld repair bill rises again - News". Scotsman.com. 28 November 2001. Retrieved 2 December 2011.
  5. ↑ "Cash lifeline saves sinking Waterworld - News". Scotsman.com. 2 March 2005. Retrieved 2 December 2011.
  6. ↑ "BBC News - Edinburgh councillors vote to close Leith Waterworld". Bbc.co.uk. 22 December 2011. Retrieved 10 January 2012.
  7. ↑ "Leith Waterworld is now closed". Edinburghleisure.co.uk. 17 November 2004. Retrieved 10 January 2012.
  8. ↑ "Waterworld shut but campaigners vow to battle on - Edinburgh Evening News". Scotsman.com. Retrieved 10 January 2012.
  9. ↑ Spurtle, Broughton. "Leith Walk Hustings". Broughton Spurtle. Retrieved 21 April 2012.
  10. ↑ "Waterworld hot topic in May’s poll". The Scotsman. 28 March 2012. Retrieved 21 April 2012.
  11. ↑ "BBC News - Leith Waterworld: Councillors reject community bid". BBC Online. Retrieved 21 September 2012.
  12. ↑ "BBC News - Leith Waterworld: Anger over council decision to sell pool". BBC Online. Retrieved 12 August 2013.
  13. ↑ "Councillor accused of Leith Waterworld ‘betrayal’ - Top stories - The Scotsman". The Scotsman. 31 May 2013. Retrieved 12 August 2013.

External links

Coordinates: 55°58′12″N 3°10′16″W / 55.97000°N 3.17111°W / 55.97000; -3.17111

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