Bon Accord Baths
Pictured in 2023, partially restored
Map
AddressJustice Mill Lane, Aberdeen
Coordinates57°8′30.62″N 2°6′39.12″W / 57.1418389°N 2.1108667°W / 57.1418389; -2.1108667
OwnerAberdeen City Council
Construction
Opened30 August 1940 (1940-08-30)
Closed31 March 2008 (2008-03-31)
ArchitectAlexander McRobbie
Website
bonaccordbaths.org.uk
Listed Building – Category B
Official nameBon Accord Baths
Designated27 June 1991
Reference no.LB20677
Bon Accord Baths pool hall, prior to Bon Accord Heritage beginning work.

Bon Accord Baths is an indoor swimming pool in Aberdeen, Scotland. It is not currently operational, but is being managed by Bon Accord Heritage, a registered charity working to restore and reopen the facility under community ownership.

History

Construction on the complex began in 1937, and it was opened on 30 August 1940.[1][2] The opening of the Baths was recorded in a surviving news film.[3]

The complex was closed between April and November 2006 for refurbishment.[4] It was closed permanently by Aberdeen City Council on 31 March 2008 as part of wider budget cuts. The council stated that the operating costs were much higher than similar facilities across the UK, and that the complex were surplus to its requirements.[1] It was reported to have cost over £1 million per year to operate. In March 2010, the council announced that it was intending to sell the complex, noting that it had the potential for re-development while retaining the architectural features of the building.[5]

In 2015, a closing date was set for offers on the baths.[6] However, the complex was not sold. It is still owned by Aberdeen City Council, but Bon Accord Heritage have an agreement with the Council to develop plans for the restoration and reopening of the Baths under community ownership.[7]

Architecture

The complex is housed within an Art Deco building. The structural system is reinforced concrete and masonry. The street elevation is faced in granite ashlar. It was Category B listed in 1991.[8] The building was designed by architect Alexander McRobbie of the Aberdeen City Architects Department.[1]

Reopening campaign

The community group Save Bon Accord Baths (later becoming Bon Accord Heritage SCIO) was established in 2014 with the aim of reopening the complex.[9] In September 2020, the group held an Open Weekend allowing the public to tour the building, with a programme of Open Weekends continuing in 2021 and beyond.[10] Extensive work has been undertaken by the volunteers and trustees to date, including the cleaning up of much of the Baths, remedial work to prevent further decline, removal of all vegetation from the roof, extensive boarding and securing of the building to prevent unauthorised access and further damage.[11]

References

  1. ^ a b c "Bon Accord Baths" (PDF). Aberdeen Local Development Plan. Retrieved 3 May 2021.
  2. ^ George, Mitchell (19 March 2022). "Why we must save Bon Accord Baths". The Press and Journal. Retrieved 29 August 2022.
  3. ^ "Opening of new baths, Aberdeen". National Library of Scotland. Retrieved 3 May 2021.
  4. ^ "Bon Accord baths ready to reopen". BBC News. 19 October 2006. Retrieved 3 May 2021.
  5. ^ "Council chiefs make a splash by deciding to sell off iconic art deco pool". The Scotsman. 17 March 2010. Retrieved 3 May 2021.
  6. ^ "Closing date set for sale of Bon Accord Baths". Shepherd Chartered Surveyors. 28 May 2015. Retrieved 3 May 2021.
  7. ^ "Bon Accord Baths, Justice Mill Lane, Aberdeen | Buildings at Risk Register". Buildings at Risk. Retrieved 3 May 2021.
  8. ^ "JUSTICE MILL LANE, BON ACCORD BATHS (LB20677)". portal.historicenvironment.scot. Retrieved 23 February 2022.
  9. ^ Voice, Suzanne at Aberdeen (14 March 2014). "Bon Accord: We Can Run The Baths". Aberdeen Voice. Retrieved 23 February 2022.
  10. ^ Walker, David. "Aberdeen's Bon Accord Baths to open doors to public next weekend". Evening Express. Retrieved 3 May 2021.
  11. ^ "Save Bon Accord Baths Homepage". Save Bon Accord Baths. Retrieved 6 June 2021.

External links

Categories