Forum Topic

Acton Baths

Some inspiration for Acton residents, lovers of conservation, historic buildings and Acton Baths....from the Prince of Wales Baths in Camden.The Prince of Wales Baths are, like Acton Baths, over 100 years old and a fine example of a Victorian london galleried baths.Unlike Acton however, the Prince of Wales Baths have been restored to their original splendour and are about to re-open after a £25M re-fit.The Prince of Wales baths are (like Acton) resplendent in the natural light which floods in from above; its environmentally friendly and a delight to swim in.a link to the story in the Camden New Journal of today is here  or go here http://www.camdennewjournal.com/news/2010/jan/%C2%A325m-pool-bathed-light-after-revamp-prince-wales-bathsI still dream that LB Ealing will see what they could do with Acton Baths and do something amazing with it.....

Peter Todd ● 5923d13 Comments

The £25 million would be nice to spend on that.Any ideas for finding it in the current climate?

Sara Nathan ● 5923d

can't they take it out of the rates we have paid for the last 100 years? Camden found the money - why can't Ealing.after all they are promising a new pool which will cost more than £25M and not be as gooddidn't the Council give away £50 to everyone just before the election because they had spare money they said they didnt need?

Peter Todd ● 5923d

It's not such a long time since they refurbished Acton swimming pool, first they put the wrong tiles on it, and they had to re-tile it for £1M I think.

John Pollastrini ● 5923d

I think you will find that the last 100 years' rates have magically disappeared, although it would be nice to think they were in a bank vault somewhere :)

Ian M Green ● 5923d

Lucky Camden! Since Acton was absorbed into a larger borough, the losses here have been increasingly painful to see.I was told recently there have been cuts in the 'libraries & leisure' budget. Anyone know the details?

Nina Thomas ● 5923d

I was in Glasgow earlier this year and went to see the Maryhill Leisure Centre.Its a beautiful old 19th century wash-house in a deprived area of the city which has now been converted.The old swimming pool was turned into a five-a-side football / games hall and a new swimming pool was attached to the side...That way the building was preserved - and used quite imaginativelyObviously it was a design suited to the building itself  and cost £9 million and was funded before the recession hit  - but it did set you thinking ... a derelict old building instead of being demolished was saved and turned into a huge asset / focal point for the community. To see what it looks like see below:http://www.graham.co.uk/projects/project/maryhill-leisure-centre/ANDhttp://www.davidnarro.co.uk/DNAphotos/maryhill.jpg

Richard Grange ● 5922d

Richard, my understanding is that the residents group who are acting as the 'voice of Acton' and who have been on visits to other 'new' centres are in agreement with demolition of the existing baths.If there is a strong feeling that perhaps this 'group' have got it wrong, then you or others will need to become involved before any decision is taken.The idea is to move the swim pool to another location not in Acton.There is much info on this site.  The Editor can help you locate it.To destroy such a piece of Victorian history would be a great pity indeed.

Dee Cook ● 5922d

The idea is NOT to move the baths out of Acton. Where do you get these ideas Doris?I don't think anyone has finalised any design proposals, but the overall aim is to preserve as much as possible while enhancing the use and viability. The baths are really tricky as they cost a fortune and aren't really fit for purpose - though the light is lovely.You too could have chosen to be on the group, seen the evidence etc. Everyone who wanted to join could do so.

Sara Nathan ● 5922d

There was talk of keeping them in Acton, but where?  The new flats on the South Acton Estate are nearing completion, all that now leaves is possible space on the industrial estate.  But that could be contaminated land and not suitable for such use.For residents to agree that the baths are too expensive to rennovate is tantamount to agreeing to their removal in political terms.My understanding is that people were invited to join the group which visited other new build sites, as to include every interested person would have made the visits untenable. And the view as I understand from the group was that the new build sites were acceptable as an alternative to rennovation of the existing site.Perhaps an update on where the Acton Town Centre Rennovation Plans is what is required in order that all are clear about what the new Labour administration have in mind.Perhaps our new Labour Councillors could make enquries and then enlighten those who do not know the history.It could of course mean that the whole thing has been scrapped.  If so, what happens to the existing swim pool?  Is there enough money in the maintenance budgets to keep them up to scratch for the next 20 years?

Dee Cook ● 5922d

According to the Labour leader (I suppose he would know) it hasn't been scrapped...but who can tell?There was a general and well-publicised call for members of the Town Hall Team. Everyone who got in touch was included.The first decision was that the pools would stay in the centre of Acton. There is a lot of space and maybe more as it looks like the courts are to be closed.But we won't get an olympic size pool.

Sara Nathan ● 5922d

I still ask our local Labour Councillors, who presumably meet with Cllr. Bell, the Leader on a regular basis, to update us on the present situation.The Council now have all the information from the Coalition Govt conerning cut backs and they will have taken a view on the scheme.It will be either on the Capital Projects agreed list (ie, there is money in the bank to pay for it), else it will be on the list of 'things to do when the economy recovers' list.Could Councillors please let us know on what list this project presently sits?

Dee Cook ● 5922d

I am sure the 'voice of acton' campaign was about upgrading existing facilities so the Acton Baths would stay. I remember signing the petition. Was there this morning, it needs some work but its worth keeping and is well used by locals.

Shao-Ying Ben-Nathan ● 5921d

Can our local Councillors please update us following the Cabinet meeting held on 22 June which met to discuss the £50 million funding gap?

Dee Cook ● 5919d