- Royal Commonwealth Pool
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Royal Commonwealth Pool 
A view of the Royal Commonwealth Pool from the outside
Location within ScotlandAlternative names Commonwealth Pool, the RCP, or the Commie[1] General information Architectural style Modernism Location Edinburgh, Scotland Coordinates 55°56′21″N 3°10′22″W / 55.939202°N 3.172731°W Completed 1970 Cost $3.84 million Design and construction Client Corporation of the City of Edinburgh Architects[2] Architect Robert Matthew and Stirrat Johnson-Marshall of RMJM Other information Seating capacity 2000[3] The Royal Commonwealth Pool is a category-A-listed building[4] in Edinburgh that houses one of Scotland's main swimming pools. It is usually simply referred to as the Commonwealth Pool, or colloquially as the Commie Pool.
The pool closed for a major refurbishment in August 2009, and is expected to re-open in the spring of 2012.
Contents
History
An Olympic-size swimming pool, the Royal Commonwealth Pool was designed by Robert Matthew and Stirrat Johnson-Marshall of RMJM;[5] construction began in 1967,[6] costing $3.84 million.[7] In January 1970,[8] the pool was completed in time for the year's Commonwealth Games, and used again in the 1986 games.[9] The pool will be an official training site for swimmers, divers and water polo players for the 2012 London Olympics and the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.[10][11] Diving competitions for the Glasgow games will also be hosted at the pool.[12]
Architectural award nominations
In 1993 it was selected by the international conservation organisation DoCoMoMo as one of sixty key Scottish monuments of the post-war period.[13] It was also nominated in 2002 by the Architecture Heritage Society of Scotland as one of the most significant modern contributions to Scottish heritage. These sentiments were echoed in Prospect 100 best modern Scottish buildings, published in 2005.[14]
Refurbishment
On 28 June 2009, the pool was closed to the public to begin a two-year refurbishment program to rectify unsuitable facilities.[15] The project, led by engineer Buro Happold,[6][8] began on 3 August 2009, costing approximately £37.18 million, and is including new 25 metres (82 ft) diving and teaching pools as well as improvements to the changing rooms, café, reception, and the main pool.[16] It was expected to be finished by summer 2011,[17] but in April 2011, The Scotsman reported the facility will not open until spring 2012.[18]
References
- ^ Gyford, Sue (24 June 2009). "End of an era as Commonwealth Pool gets ready for refurbishment". Edinburgh Evening News. Archived from the original on 17 November 2010. http://www.webcitation.org/5uJrD4ZAD. Retrieved 15 November 2010.
- ^ Willis, Peter; Ignatowicz, Jon (1977). New Architecture in Scotland. Lund Humphries. p. 76. http://books.google.com/books?id=AB1NAAAAYAAJ.
- ^ McWhirter, Norris; McFarlan, Donald (1992). The Guinness Book of Records 1992 (38 ed.). Middlesex, England: Guinness World Records. p. 298. ISBN 0851123783. http://books.google.com/books?id=25QhAQAAIAAJ.
- ^ "Listed Building Report". Historic Scotland. Archived from the original on 17 November 2010. http://www.webcitation.org/5uJrGYwnF. Retrieved 16 November 2010.
- ^ Childs, Peter; Storry, Mike (1999). Encyclopedia of Contemporary British Culture. London: Taylor & Francis. p. 459. ISBN 0415147263. http://books.google.com/books?id=iS4hsxKiMNgC.
- ^ a b "Buro Happold To Revive Landmark Edinburgh Pool For 2014 Games". buildscotland.co.uk. 8 June 2008. Archived from the original on 17 November 2010. http://www.webcitation.org/5uJrIGDmw. Retrieved 16 November 2010.
- ^ Miller, Geoffrey (15 July 1970). "New Timer To Be Unveiled In Commonwealth Games". The Hartford Courant. http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/courant/access/963718962.html?dids=963718962:963718962&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI. Retrieved 17 November 2010. (subscription required)
- ^ a b "Revamp closes pool for two years". BBC News. 27 June 2009. Archived from the original on 17 November 2010. http://www.webcitation.org/5uJrfBvoc. Retrieved 16 November 2010.
- ^ Fraser, Douglas (30 November 2003). "Scotland bids for Commonwealth Games". Sunday Herald (BNET). Archived from the original on 17 November 2010. http://www.webcitation.org/5uJrTaYtI. Retrieved 15 November 2010.
- ^ Ferguson, Brian (8 August 2007). "Splashing the cash on Commonwealth Pool". The Scotsman. Archived from the original on 17 November 2010. http://www.webcitation.org/5uJrW4sRe. Retrieved 17 November 2010.
- ^ Bathgate, Stuart (4 March 2008). "Scottish training centres in frame for 2012". The Scotsman. Archived from the original on 17 November 2010. http://www.webcitation.org/5uJrXhznO. Retrieved 17 November 2010.
- ^ Gourtsoyannis, Paris (20 November 2007). "Edinburgh looks to cash in as Glasgow gets its Games". The Journal. Archived from the original on 17 November 2010. http://www.webcitation.org/5uJrZpf9f. Retrieved 17 November 2010.
- ^ Glendinning, Miles (1997). Rebuilding Scotland: The Postwar Vision, 1945-1975. DoCoMoMo. p. 29. http://books.google.com/books?id=juxPAAAAMAAJ.
- ^ Black, Edward (7 October 2002). "Hill House one of best modern buildings". The Scotsman. AccessMyLibrary. http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-26178684_ITM. Retrieved 17 November 2010. (registration required)
- ^ Ferguson, Brian (18 December 2007). "Stadium sale will fund refit for Commonwealth pool". The Scotsman. Archived from the original on 17 November 2010. http://www.webcitation.org/5uJrdoMV6. Retrieved 17 November 2010.
- ^ "Royal Commonwealth Pool refurbishment: update". City of Edinburgh Council. 26 February 2010. Archived from the original on 17 November 2010. http://www.webcitation.org/5uJrguz2s. Retrieved 16 November 2010.
- ^ "T&A Pool resources". Urban Realm. 27 February 2009. Archived from the original on 17 November 2010. http://www.webcitation.org/5uJriL20h. Retrieved 16 November 2010.
- ^ Fraser, Gemma (19 April 2011). "Commie to reopen next spring . . but it will look the same sss". The Scotsman. http://news.scotsman.com/scotland/Commie-to-reopen-next-spring.6754397.jp. Retrieved 29 April 2011.
External links
Categories:- Buildings and structures completed in 1970
- 1970 establishments in Scotland
- Category A listed buildings in Scotland
- Listed buildings in Edinburgh
- Listed sports venues in Scotland
- Sports venues in Edinburgh
- Swimming venues in Scotland
- 1970 British Commonwealth Games venues
- 1986 Commonwealth Games venues
- 2014 Commonwealth Games venues
- Scottish sport stubs
- Scottish building and structure stubs
- Edinburgh stubs
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