Govanhill Baths Community Trust ·

Six Thousand Visitors To Doors Open Day!

Posted: 1st Oct. 2011 By Andrew Johnson

Once again the local community, the Glasgow public and people from much further afield (London, Edinburgh, Manchester, Derby, Sydney and Philadelphia! to name a few!) made there way to the Govanhill Baths Doors Open Day) to take an escorted tour and share many stories with our tour guiders and others about the baths. Who takes the prize? All of them! But consider; the swimmer from 1930’s and 40’s and winner of the Sea Cadets 1947 Gold Medal. The early learner from the 50’s, determined to book a family party in the main pool for her mother in particular who taught her to swim there? The shower seeker from the 60’s determined to find the circular shower sprinkler in the sauna suite because never had she seen or enjoyed one like it since? The "bather" from the 80’s who swore she had never had a bath as deep and as refreshing as in the slipper baths? Or even maybe the visitor who told stories about the years she spent going to the steamie with her mum every Monday morning in the 50’s! And what about the swimmer from the 90’s who, now 13, remembers her first dips in the toddlers pool as a two year old!

1076 visitors toured the building bringing the grand total over our four years of opening for DOD to just over 6,000. The message continues to be unanimous from them all, particularly when they catch sight of the main pool from the balcony - this pool should be up and running and open again, it is a part of Glasgow’s heritage and legacy, it should be open for visitors, spectators and competitors alike for the Commonwealth Games in 2014! And they continue to donate and buy our and refreshments generously with just under £1,000 being collected.

But that will be the last time DOD visitors see the original front suite foyer. Whilst its style and character is being fully retained, according to Historic Scotland requirements, work started last week on its refurbishment as Phase 1 of the conversion of the baths into a Wellbeing Centre.

Our thanks to all those who came along and supported the event and also to the 25 or so local volunteers who made the event once again a resounding success.

(Click an image to open the slideshow)