Media Release
28.08.14
Glasgow swimming legacy: Dried
up before the Games even started?
Secondary school swimming pool closures should be of great concern for Glasgow’s
Commonwealth Games legacy, according to research presented at the Royal Geographical
Society (with IBG) international conference in London.
Between 1998 and 2002, two thirds of secondary school swimming pools closed as a result of
school estates being downsized and buildings being brought under private management, Dr Anna
McLauchlan of the University of Strathclyde told the conference.
Dr McLauchlan said: “The 2014 Commonwealth Games legacy for swimming resulted in a new
pool at Tollcross International Swimming Centre, but despite improvement of facilities being
identified as supporting the Games legacy, there appear to be no plans to increase the number of
public pools in Glasgow.”
“Whilst schools can use public pools, the mass closure of secondary school pools must have
affected access for school pupils. This is a particularly important issue at a time when central and
local government are committed to getting children and young people involved in sport.”
In all six cases where secondary schools with pools were demolished to make way for new
buildings, a swimming pool was not rebuilt. This is evidence that there was a deliberate
downgrading of secondary school facilities.
“Having fewer pools not only reduced the cost of construction but also the cost of maintenance for
the private contractor. The agreement between Glasgow City Council and the private contractor
lasts until 2029 so further public investment would likely be needed to improve facilities.”
The downgrading of facilities in Glasgow is unlikely to be an isolated case. According to the latest
available figures, there are 214 privately financed education projects across the UK. The impact
this has had on school sports facilities nationwide is not yet known.
The research also mapped the distribution of public swimming pools across Glasgow. Whilst the
number of public swimming pools has not drastically changed over the last 100 years, their
distribution has shifted considerably.
Public swimming pools are now more evenly distributed across Greater Glasgow, but this does not
necessarily correlate with where people live or where demand is greatest.
ENDS
Notes to editors
1. For further information, and any bids to speak to the presenter of the research, please contact the
Media Office on 020 7591 3019 (Ben Parfitt) or email [email protected]
2. Dr Anna McLauchlan’s paper (‘Rethinking research into facilities for sports: a critical spatial study of
swimming pools in Glasgow’) is taking place on Thursday 28 August at the Royal Geographical
Society (with IBG) Annual International Conference in London, being held between August 27 – 29.
It’s the largest gathering of academic geographers in Europe, with more than 400 sessions,
attracting around 2,000 delegates from more than 50 countries. Full details on the RGS-IBG Annual
International Conference 2014 can be found at www.rgs.org/AC2014
3. The Royal Geographical Society (with The Institute of British Geographers) is the learned society
and professional body for geography. Formed in 1830, our Royal Charter of 1859 is for 'the
advancement of geographical science'. Today, we deliver this objective by developing, supporting
and promoting geography through research, expeditions and fieldwork, education, and public
engagement, while also providing geographical input to policy. We aim to foster an understanding
and informed enjoyment of our world. We hold the world's largest private geographical collection and
provide public access to it. We have a thriving Fellowship and membership and offer the professional
accreditation 'Chartered Geographer'
www.rgs.org
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