Our festive market is around the corner!

Final push needed to help save our iconic Baths as the project celebrates a major milestone.

Govanhill Baths Community Trust are celebrating a significant step forward in the refurbishment of the iconic Baths but despite the completion of all of the external renovation work, more funding is needed to reopen the Baths. The 22 year struggle continues!

Like most current construction projects ours has been beset by delays and spiralling construction costs caused by Covid and exacerbated by Brexit, the war in Ukraine and cost of living crisis. These factors mean that we have a significant shortfall of £6.5 million to bring the project to completion.

The Govanhill Baths Community Trust are now calling for renewed financial support from backers in order to realise a vision that has been over two decades in the making.

Alex Wilde, Chair of Govanhill Baths Community Trust, said:

“After 22 years we are still fighting for the reopening of Govanhill Baths.

“It is a huge disappointment to us that the funding which we fought so hard to secure is no longer sufficient to complete the refurbishment as planned and the budget does not enable the building to be fitted out with everything it needs to function.

“We are at a crucial point where we need to keep on fighting for the building that this community so desperately needs and deserves after all this time. We are asking the community, supporters, partners and funders to stand by us so that we don’t lose the momentum that we have fought so hard to gain.”

Niall Murphy, Chair Govanhill Baths Building Preservation Trust, said:

“We are proud that the first stage in the refurbishment of Govanhill Baths has been completed and extensive works to the fabric of the building have reversed years of decay.

“Decades of disuse haven taken a great toll, but we’ve turned the clock back and now have a building fit for the next 100 years.

Alison Thewliss MP Glasgow Central, said:

“While it is positive to see that progress is being made on the refurbishment of the Govanhill Baths, there is still a long way to go before this project is complete.

“A number of factors including inflation and Covid-19 have caused unavoidable rises in costs. With new funding, the Baths would be able to reopen and thrive once again.

“I will continue to work with those involved at the Baths to ensure that all possibilities are explored and the reopening of such an important place can take place as soon as possible. In these difficult times for many, such a pillar of the community being open could make a huge difference to so many lives. The Govanhill people deserve to have a place to swim again.”

The completed works has successfully conserved the entire roof, stone walls and windows, the concrete structure has had extensive repair, historic features have been preserved and structural alterations made to get the building ready for its future use. The repaired building includes a completely restored roof with all the rooflights repaired or renewed, allowing light to flood into the building while keeping the rain out.

Tours of the building to see some of the new features inside the building will take place during Glasgow Doors Open Days Festival in September. When the first phase is complete, the wellbeing centre will include two swimming pools, sauna, gym, and
café.

The delays and massive price increases mean that the original budget wasn’t sufficient and we are currently costing the fit out of the building, which we expect could be a similar sum. We are working with all funders, the design team and the massive effort of staff and volunteers in the organisation on an ongoing basis to identify solutions but there are big challenges ahead and a significant gap in funding.

You may be wondering what is happening inside our beloved building at 99 Calder Street. Here is an update, We have answered the most common questions we get asked when people pop into our office for a chat. To find out more, feel free to contact us using the details at the bottom of the page. We are also inviting you to tell us what activities you would like to take part in when the building reopens! Please complete our very short survey (click to view the survey). As a thank you, you can win one of five free copies of our book Loved and Lost – a journey through the ever-changing landscape of Govanhill. Just remember to include your email address at the end of the survey to enter the prize draw.*

When will you open?

We’re eager to open as soon as we possibly can in 2024, but at this stage we can’t say for certain, so it may take longer.

Why the delay?

We have been hit with delays due to the pandemic, Brexit, and the war in Ukraine, all of which have affected staffing and the availability of materials. This has also resulted in a significant spike in construction inflation. All capital projects nationwide are experiencing rising costs and delays at the moment, and we are no exception. On top of that, refurbishing an old building takes a lot of time and money. And a building that has been derelict for 20 years, following several decades of ad hoc repairs by many different people, has a lot of surprises!

Will you have swimming classes?

Absolutely! We’ll have classes for all ages with two pools: the 15 x 8 metre former Ladies Pool, and the 7 x 3 metre Learners Pool.

Will you have women-only nights?

Yes, this is something we know the community really wants. We’ll have women-only swimming and wellbeing nights, as well as women-only exercise classes. We’re also hoping to offer swimming sessions and exercise classes for the LGBTQI+ community, which are a rarity in Glasgow.

Will there be a sauna and steam room?

Yes! The sauna and steam room will be part of our wonderful Turkish Suite.

What exactly will be in the building?

In addition to the two swimming pools, we’ll have a gym, a sauna and steam room, community kitchen and café, yoga and dance studio, our People’s Pantry, archive, our wellbeing programme, bookable spaces, events space, and much more!

What activities will you deliver?

We’ll have loads of different activities on offer, and these will have been chosen by you! From water aerobics to breastfeeding support and self-defence and more. Let us know using the survey opposite what you’d like to take part in! We will be releasing our programme later this year.

Will there be rooms available for hire?

We will have a range of rooms for hire, with subsidised rates for local community groups. For more information about room hire, please contact deepend@govanhillbaths.com

How much will it cost to use?

We want to make sure that our building is affordable and accessible for everyone. So we will have a range of different ways to use it. You will be able to buy a membership to use the gym and swimming pools or there will be the option to pay-as-you-go. We are aiming to have discount schemes including some free access so everyone who needs the facilities will be able to use them. We will keep costs at least as affordable as those provided by Glasgow Life.

How can I find out more?

To find out more, you can visit our website at www.govanhillbaths.com
You can also call us on 0141 433 2999 or send an email to info@govanhillbaths.com

For the second year Govanhill Baths Community Trust is marking International’s Women’s Day. We will be running a week-long programme from the 6th to the 11th of March, including events such as workshops, talks, walks and exhibitions. For information on all individual events please click to learn more. 

International Women’s Day is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. Historically it has been tightly linked with women’s activism and labour. The event was born from the belief in the revolutionary potential of working women, and the importance of improving their lives. International Women’s Day is the perfect occasion to reflect on women’s labour, activism and collective power.

Our celebration will culminate with a march so join us on the 11th March at Govanhill Park at 12pm. We’ll be taking to the streets with other activists who are challenging stigmas in their communities, their workplaces and in their everyday lives. We are marching for a more equal world; a world free of bias, stereotypes and discrimination. Together we can celebrate women’s achievements and take action for equality. Join us!

(Our use of the word ‘women’ is inclusive of Trans and Intersex women, as well as any non-binary people who are comfortable in a space that centres the experience of women.)