Proposals put forward to transform former Partick swimming pool building

An abandoned Partick swimming pool could be turned into a GP surgery, while a former school building would be refurbished for health and social care services.

Proposals have been put forward to refurbish the Church Street school to make way for a number of services as part of a first phase of work. A second stage would see an extension added to the school building and the old swimming pool building refurbished to accommodate GP facilities, subject to discussions with the NHS.

The façade of the pool house is to be retained. It was drained in 1997 and has lain in a derelict state. Highlighting work that has taken place to save the structures, Councillor Kenny McLean said: “For generations of Partick weans, of which I am one, who have used the swimming baths for many years, we have been watching closely for the fate the baths, which were abandoned by the previous administration in 1997.” The SNP politician added: “We welcome very much the plans, which have been brought forward by the Health and Social Care Partnership to ensure the swimming baths and school have a productive use in the future.”

Councillor Ruairi Kelly, SNP, revealed the plans in response to a question from Councillor McLean at last week’s full council meeting. Councillor Kelly said: “For the site of the former Church Street Primary School, it is proposed that development will take place in two phases. The first phase involves the refurbishment of the school building to provide services currently located in Church Street and those services relocated from Gullane Street.”

The convenor for neighbourhood, services and assets said the services would include Children and Families Services, Carers Project, Older People Care Team, Autism Resource Centre and Justice Services.” Cash for the work will come from £20 million allocated from the council budget passed in the last financial year – 2022 to 2023 according to councillor Kelly.

Explaining more about the construction plans, he added: “The second phase of works will extend the former school building and repurpose the former swimming pool building. “This phase is subject to discussion with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and contingent on approval of a further business case. This refurbishment and extension will provide modern primary care facilities for GP practices and supporting community services.”

Councillor Kelly continued: There has been an aspiration by colleagues in Social Work to include the former Pool Building in the scope of the wider project and as such they’re investigating the possibility of relocating GP Practices into a refurbished and repurposed Poolhouse.” He said a paper on the plans is expected to be presented to the “health board capital board” in coming months.