THE first images of a revamped Glenogle Baths were unveiled today at the same time as a deal was agreed to carry out a major refurbishment of the Royal Commonwealth Pool.
The two breakthroughs were hailed as a major step forward for the "biggest sporting developments" in the city.
The future of the historic Glenogle pool in Stockbridge was secured by the Lib Dem/SNP administration earlier this year when it pledged
£5.3 million in its first budget.
Meanwhile, funding is also in place for the £37m Royal Commonwealth Pool (RCP) project, and Northern Irish firm John Graham (Dromore) Ltd is set to be handed the contract to carry out the works.
The two schemes will overlap, and the council and Edinburgh Leisure have both vowed to find temporary accommodation for the city's swimming clubs when work gets under way, which could include the use of facilities at local schools.
More details on the nature of the Glenogle revamp were also revealed for the first time today, with the council promising to preserve the building's Victorian features.
There will be new floor and wall finishes, new pool tiling and lighting, and an overhauled sauna and gym. The 18-month project will get under way shortly.
City sports leader Deidre Brock said: "The Glenogle Baths project will upgrade this important and historic local facility, while maintaining its classic Victorian style.
"These first images give an idea of how tremendous the baths will be. It's much more than a restoration project – once complete, the facilities will be better than ever before."
Keith Jackson, Edinburgh Leisure chief executive, added: "Glenogle will be the last of our much-loved Victorian pools to be brought up to a modern-day standard. As with previous refurbishments, the emphasis will be on retaining the beauty and character of that era, while offering our customers state-of-the-art, easy-to-use facilities."
A major campaign to save the baths began last year, amid fears the site would be sold to housing developers. The council agreed to rule out that plan in August 2007 and stepped in with funding last February.
The RCP project was effectively secured in July, when the Evening News learned that sportscotland had agreed to put £5m towards the project to ensure the pool can host the diving competition for the 2014 Commonwealth Games.
John Graham (Dromore) Ltd has won a bidding war between Balfour Beatty Construction and Mace Ltd to carry out the construction work, with a price tag of £32.2m.
The firm is currently building the council's four new care homes.
Councillor Brock said: "Now that we have our contractors in place, we can drive ahead with one of the biggest sporting developments that Edinburgh has seen for many years.
"Work will begin next summer, and once complete, the centre will provide modern facilities for the people of Edinburgh, as well as playing an integral part in the 2014 Commonwealth Games."
The full article contains 504 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
