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Leeds Then and Today: Leeds International Pool
National World - LocalTV
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25/09/2024
Do you remember swimming here? Andy Hutchinson dives into the history of the former Leeds International Swimming Pool.
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News
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00:00
Hi and welcome to the latest edition of Leeds Then and Today with me Andrew Hutchinson.
00:05
We're aiming to make a splash with the story of a controversial Leeds landmark which is
00:09
no longer here.
00:12
Leeds International Pool was loved and loved in equal measure by generations of Leeds residents
00:20
during its 40 year stint in the city.
00:22
The idea of an Olympic sized swimming pool for Leeds was first muted in the 1930s but
00:28
that idea was canned owing to the outbreak of war.
00:32
The idea was back on the agenda by the 1960s despite some people wanting smaller pools
00:38
built around Leeds.
00:40
Leeds International Pool opened in September 1967 yet the signs were ominous from the start
00:46
when gale force winds almost ripped off the futuristic copper roof.
00:50
Worse still, the pool wasn't even fit for the Olympics.
00:53
Legend has it that it was a couple of inches too short.
00:57
In fact, it was slightly too narrow for eight lane Olympic standards.
01:01
The public was quick to criticise the pool's location.
01:05
One user at the time said the building is badly sited, difficult to approach by car
01:11
and dangerous for kiddies attending during rush hours.
01:14
Its innovative design was by John Poulsen.
01:17
Council chiefs claim more than £278,000 back from the bankrupt architect for design
01:23
flaws in the pool.
01:25
The pool closed in 2007 and was demolished in 2009.
01:29
For many many years it was used as a car park but today it's getting a new lease of life.
01:35
Work is well underway on a multi-million pound development which will see thousands of people
01:39
live and work here.
01:41
The architecture is considerably different to its brutalist predecessor.
01:45
The story of Leeds International Pool is a controversial one so thanks for taking the
01:50
plunge.
01:51
The site looks very different today but there's still a sign that Leeds International Pool
01:56
was here.
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