Scotland's fourth oldest public swimming bath, Warrender Swim Centre, reopens its doors to the public Tuesday, 23rd May, having undergone a major refurbishment.

June Peebles, Chief Executive at Edinburgh Leisure said: “Edinburgh Leisure, in partnership with the City of Edinburgh Council, is delighted to be reopening the doors to Warrender Swim Centre, a Victorian pool loved by so many.

“We’d like to thank our customers for their patience during the somewhat longer-than-expected closure period. However, once inside the venue, I’m sure everyone will agree it’s been worth the wait.

“Originally known as Warrender Baths, the venue has been serving the community since 1887 and this major investment will ensure Warrender Swim Centre, as it is now known, will continue to serve the community for many years to come.”

The latest major investment has been about maintaining the balance of Victorian charm and an environmentally efficient 21st-century facility and, of course, improving the customer experience. Significant changes and upgrades to Warrender Swim Centre have taken place including:

• Maintenance work and repairs to the sandstone structure, windows, roof, and roof structures in keeping with the building’s listing.
• Decoration throughout, including updating the changing rooms, both wet and dry, and retiling of the poolside.
• Enclosing the area overlooking the pool and adding air-cooling.
• New easy access, making it easier for customers to access the building and their activities, with the simple swipe of their membership card or fob.
• Upgrades to the mechanical and electrical works, including improvements to the ventilation system.
• New pool plant.
• New boilers.
• New lighting.
• New air handling throughout the building including the gym.
• Installation of a new sauna.

Stephanie Kelly, Manager at Warrender Swim Centre said: “We’re so excited at the prospect of welcoming customers into our lovely, refurbished swim centre. The renovations have taken longer than expected but as anyone who has ever renovated an older property will know, there’s usually something uncovered that requires a change of plan or often additional work, and that’s certainly been the case with Warrender. 

"We know that our loyal and our new customers, and of course, Warrender Swim Club, who have such a long association with the venue, will be delighted with the extensive work that has been carried out. Team Warrender looks forward to welcoming back you all back to this iconic, Victorian swimming pool."

Cllr Val Walker, Culture and Communities Convener, said: “I’ve been so looking forward to Warrender Swim Centre reopening its doors, and I’m sure many users are looking forward to once again going for a swim in the beautiful surroundings of the heritage building.

“The major refurbishment has made sure some modern adjustments and improvements have been made whilst keeping the charm of the original Victorian building. I’m delighted that this investment will ensure families can continue to enjoy Warrender Swim Centre for many years to come.”

With a 25-yard pool, sauna, and gym, Warrender is a Victorian swim centre in the heart of Bruntsfield and Marchmont. This historic venue retains many of its original features, including the original steam room’s roof in the gym, but also has the modern facilities required for an active, healthy life. The gym is in what used to be the Turkish Baths.

Join during the first week of Warrender’s re-opening from 23^rd May to pay ‘No Joining Fee’ on your new membership. Additional member benefits can be enjoyed like priority bookings, free gym introduction and discounts on a range of activities. And unlike many other gyms, there is no contract and customers can freeze or cancel their membership at any time.

Edinburgh Leisure has different memberships that are flexible and affordable to fit around individuals/couples. Choose a Gym, Swim or Fitness Class package (not available at Warrender) at your local venue or sign up for Edinburgh Leisure’s most popular Full Fitness membership giving unlimited access to all their venues across the city. 

Warrender Swim Centre
55 Thirlestane Road, Edinburgh EH9 1AP

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Background information on the history of Warrender Swim Centre

 

Warrender’s rich history
Notable for its Victorian architecture with bright interiors and its old-fashioned poolside changing facilities, the baths enjoy category "B" listed building conservation status.

In 1886, some Edinburgh residents and members of the Bellahouston Private Baths Club, Glasgow, decided to build a swimming club in Edinburgh. Frank Y. Henderson formed the Warrender Private Baths Club Limited which bought some land in Thirlestane Road from Sir George Warrender MP, 6th Baronet, and, using the local architect Robert Paterson, had the baths built. It cost just £11,000 to build Warrender Baths (as it would be known for the next 100 years) and the baths were opened on Saturday 17 December 1887 by Sir George.

Warrender Baths differed from many similar facilities in Edinburgh in that they were originally built privately with an emphasis on fitness and leisure. Many of the city's comparable swimming pools were part of a much wider scheme to build public baths to promote cleanliness and hygiene amongst the working classes, who did not have routine access at the time to sanitation.

The original pool house was equipped with a reading room, billiards room, plunge and Turkish baths and gymnasium. The pool also had a 10ft diving platform, trapeze, and rings for the more athletic swimmers.

Originally built for Warrender Bath club members only, the club gained its first ‘cap’ in 1896 when Frank Marshall was chosen to play for Scotland’s water polo team.

Initially, the facilities were a success, but by 1906 were no longer viable and were closed and remained so for two years until they were bought by the city (the Edinburgh Corporation) for just £3,000, where they joined the city's portfolio of similar pools.

Almost immediately, Warrender Swimming Club was resurrected, and while the ordinary people now had access to the steam room, cold shower room, massage facilities, and relaxation room – where an attendant would wake you with a cup of tea and a biscuit – the business of producing excellent swimmers also went swimmingly.

The club’s first Olympian was Ellen King, who swam in the Paris games in 1924 and came sixth in the 100 yards backstroke. Despite her success, and that of other women swimmers, the club, run by men, refused to allow them a gala event, and so many women left.

On the men’s side, swimmers represented the club at national level, but it is David Wilkie that the club is probably best known for. In 1972, he won the silver medal in the 200m breaststroke in Munich before going on to win the supreme accolade in 1976 by winning the Olympic Gold medal in the 200m breaststroke in Montreal. 

Other swimmers associated with the club include: Keri-Anne Payne a silver Olympic medallist, bronze medal Olympic swimmers Paul Easter, Gordon Downie and Alan McClatchey, bronze Paralympic medal winners George Simpson and Sean Fraser and Olympic finalist Jean McDowell swam and trained with Warrender Baths Club.

2004 - 2005 refurbishment

While Warrender received regular maintenance throughout the 1900s, its layout, fixtures, and finishes required upgrading and so in December 2004, Warrender closed for a year-long refurbishment funded by the City of Edinburgh Council, reopening in 2005. This upgrading ensured that the building’s future was secured as a major community asset, promoting the health, well-being, and employment of those that used the facility. Edinburgh Leisure continued to run Warrender.

2020 - 2023 refurbishment

The latest major investment has been about maintaining the balance of Victorian charm and an environmentally efficient 21st-century facility. 

It has included building restoration, pool repairs, replacement of mechanical and electrical equipment, building redecoration, and improved lighting. Easy access gates have also been installed for improved efficiency and customer experience.

Here are the specifics of the work that has been undertaken:

1. Maintenance work and repairs to the sandstone structure, windows, roof, and roof structures in keeping with the building’s listing.
2. Decoration throughout, including updating the changing rooms, both wet and dry, and retiling of the poolside.
3. Enclosing the area overlooking the pool and adding air-cooling.
4. New easy access, making it easier for customers to access the building and their activities, with the simple swipe of their membership card or fob.
5. Upgrades to the mechanical and electrical works, including improvements to the ventilation system.
6. New Pool plant.
7. New boilers.
8. New lighting. 
9. New air handling throughout the building including the gym.
10. Installation of a new sauna.