With the Olympics nearly upon us, it has finally been confirmed that Edinburgh's grade A listed Royal Commonwealth Pool will be completely refurbished.

Work is set to start on site next year, and when finished, the pool will host the diving competitions for the 2014 Commonwealth Games. The work is being mainly funded by the City of Edinburgh Council, and partly by Sport Scotland.

The original pool, designed by RMJM Architects, was built in 1967 and used twice for the Commonwealth Games in the past - once in 1970, and again in 1986. The pool, described by Scottish Architecture Minister Linda Fabiani as "a streamlined modernist design of international renown", will now undergo a £37m upgrade and refurbishment, led by S&P Architects and engineered by Buro Happold.

-- Advertisement --

The existing building is located just a mile south of the city centre, and enjoys a dramatic backdrop provided by the Salisbury Crags and Arthur's Seat.

"In addition to its Commonwealth heritage, it has always been a major centre for swimming in Scotland, nurturing the country's elite athletes," said Mike Lee of S&P Architects, "and its success is reflected in its iconic status among swimmers and listing as a building of architectural importance".

"The design has been challenging. We have retained the elements of the original building which first merited the Grade 'A' listing, while upgrading the facilities to today's performance criteria. We have worked hard with Historic Scotland to ensure that the character of the building will remain intact, though areas such as the changing rooms, reception and café will all be enhanced with an overhaul of space planning, finishes and fittings," he added.

The pool will be a centre for excellence, while providing the best facilities for local people.

The refurbishment will involve replacing the three existing tanks with state-of-the-art pools, meeting the standards for national swimming, water polo and synchronised swimming competitions, and international diving ones. Scotland's success in the pool during the 2004 Olympic Games has inspired the City of Edinburgh Council to create a centre for excellence for diving in particular.

(GK/JM)