Royal Commonwealth Pool
Encyclopedia
The Royal Commonwealth Pool is a category-A-listed building 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.
and Stirrat Johnson-Marshall of RMJM
; construction began in 1967, costing $3.84 million. In January 1970, the pool was completed in time for the year's Commonwealth Games, and used again in the 1986 games
. 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. Diving competitions for the Glasgow games will also be hosted at the pool.
of the post-war
period. 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.
, 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. It was expected to be finished by summer 2011, but in April 2011, The Scotsman
reported the facility will not open until spring 2012.
The pool closed for a major refurbishment in August 2009, and is expected to re-open in the spring of 2012.
History
An Olympic-size swimming pool, the Royal Commonwealth Pool was designed by Robert MatthewRobert Matthew
Sir Robert Hogg Matthew, OBE, FRIBA was a Scottish architect and a leading proponent of modernism.- Early life & studies :Robert Matthew was the son of John Matthew . He was born and brought up in Edinburgh, and attended the Edinburgh College of Art.- Career :Robert was apprenticed with his...
and Stirrat Johnson-Marshall of RMJM
RMJM
RMJM is an international architectural practice founded in Edinburgh, Scotland in 1956 by architects Robert Matthew and Stirrat Johnson-Marshall. The first offices of the practice were its headquarters in Edinburgh, and another in London...
; construction began in 1967, costing $3.84 million. In January 1970, the pool was completed in time for the year's Commonwealth Games, and used again in the 1986 games
1986 Commonwealth Games
The 1986 Commonwealth Games were held in Edinburgh, Scotland for the second time. The Games were held from 24 July-2 August 1986.-Organisation and Controversy:...
. The pool will be an official training site for swimmers, divers and water polo players for the 2012 London Olympics
2012 Summer Olympics
The 2012 Summer Olympic Games, officially known as the "London 2012 Olympic Games", are scheduled to take place in London, England, United Kingdom from 27 July to 12 August 2012...
and the 2014 Commonwealth Games
2014 Commonwealth Games
The 20th Commonwealth Games in 2014 will be held in Glasgow, the largest city in Scotland. The winning city was announced by the Commonwealth Games Federation on 9 November 2007 in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The Games will run over 11 days of competition from 24 July to 3 August 2014...
in Glasgow. Diving competitions for the Glasgow games will also be hosted at the pool.
Architectural award nominations
In 1993 it was selected by the international conservation organisation DoCoMoMo as one of sixty key Scottish monumentsDoCoMoMo Key Scottish Monuments
DoCoMoMo Key Scottish Monuments is a list of 60 notable post-war buildings in Scotland, compiled in 1993 by the international architectural conservation organisation DoCoMoMo....
of the post-war
Post-war
A post-war period or postwar period is the interval immediately following the ending of a war and enduring as long as war does not resume. A post-war period can become an interwar period or interbellum when a war between the same parties resumes at a later date...
period. 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
Prospect 100 best modern Scottish buildings
In 2005, the Scottish architecture magazine Prospect published a list of the 100 best modern Scottish buildings, as voted for by its readers.-The list:...
, published in 2005.
Refurbishment
On 28 June 2009, the pool was closed to the public to begin a two-year refurbishment program to rectify unsuitable facilities. The project, led by engineer Buro HappoldBuro Happold
Buro Happold is a professional services firm providing engineering consultancy, design, planning, project management and consulting services for all aspects of buildings, infrastructure and the environment, with its head office in Bath, Somerset...
, 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. It was expected to be finished by summer 2011, but in April 2011, The Scotsman
The Scotsman
The Scotsman is a British newspaper, published in Edinburgh.As of August 2011 it had an audited circulation of 38,423, down from about 100,000 in the 1980s....
reported the facility will not open until spring 2012.