- Dollan Baths
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File:Dollan Aqua Centre, East Kilbride 1.jpgDollan Baths
'''Dollan Aqua Centre''' (previously known as Dollan Baths) is a 20th-century category A listed building in East Kilbride, Scotland.
Designed by Alexander Buchanan Campbell, it was opened in 1968 as Scotland's first 50 metre (although not Olympic standard) swimming pool. It consists principally of pre-stressed concrete and imitates a colossal marquee - the vaulted 324 ft parabolic arched roof appears to be held down by pairs of 'V' shaped-struts that meet the ground at a 30° angle.
Buchanan Campbell admitted that he had been influenced by the architecture of the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan and the designs by Kenzo Tange for the gymnasium there.
In 1993 the international conservation organisation DOCOMOMO listed Dollan Baths as one of sixty key monuments in Scottish post-war architecture. It was listed in 2002 (as Dollan Aqua Centre) as a Category A building by Historic Scotland.
Structural engineering surveys showed that parts of the pool surround and pool tank were in a state of near collapse and emergency work had to be carried out to install temporary structural supports. About one year later the Centre was closed,in October 2008,to allow a substantial programme, consisting of structural repairs and replacements and the installation of new structural supports, to be carried out. This required a significant amount of structural engineering design input. Fortunately the structure of the unique roof was not effected.
At the same time substantial redesign and replacement of heating and ventilation and pool water treatment engineering services was carried out. This part of the work included; the installation of new high efficiency gas fired boilers, and the installation of a new ventilation system for the swimming pool hall,and the installation of a combined heat and power system, and the installation of new water filters and high efficiency pumps as part of an upgraded pool water treatment system.
Electrical engineering and lighting systems were almost entirely replaced throughout the building.
The external roof covering was replaced and an additional layer of thermal insulation was added to reduce heat loss from the roof and to provide extra protection for the roof structure.
New lockers were provided for the changing rooms and the health suite, and new tiles for the pool and health suite.
The repair work began in July 2009 and the Aqua Centre re-opened on May 28, 2011 after the completion of a major repair and refurbishment contract costing over £6.5 million.
Facilities include swimming pool with moveable floor, health suite and fitness gyms (2), creche, cafe. gym.[1][2][3][4]
The Centre is the intended host for the swimming events for the 2011 International Children's Games.
See also
- List of Olympic size swimming pools in the United Kingdom
References and external links
- ^ http://www.slleisureandculture.co.uk/portal/page/portal/SLL_WEBSITE/Home/Indoor_Facilities/Dollan_Aqua_Centre
- ^ http://www.southlanarkshire.gov.uk/portal/page/portal/SLL_WEBSITE/Home/Health_and_Fitness/Dollan_Aqua_Centre_Club
- ^ http://www.southlanarkshire.gov.uk/portal/page/portal/SLL_WEBSITE/Home/Indoor_Facilities/Dollan_Aqua_Centre
- ^ http://www.eastkilbridenews.co.uk/lanarkshire-news/local-news-lanarkshire/local-news-east-kilbride/2010/02/17/dollan-aqua-centre-upgrade-hit-by-further-delays-68653-25846160/
- Twentieth Century Society Page
- Official Site
- Buchanan Campbell collection at RCAHMS
- [^http://www.slleisureandculture.co.uk/portal/page/portal/SLL_WEBSITE/Home/Indoor_Facilities/Dollan_Aqua_Centre]
- [^http://www.slleisureandculture.co.uk/portal/page/portal/SLL_WEBSITE/Home/Indoor_Facilities/Dollan_Aqua_Centre]
Coordinates: 55°45′42.47″N 4°10′59.89″W / 55.7617972°N 4.1833028°W
Categories:- East Kilbride
- Listed sports venues in Scotland
- Swimming venues in Scotland
- Sports venues in South Lanarkshire
- Category A listed buildings in Scotland
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