International Pool

[drapesy]

-Looking forward to set this set big-time Phill!!!It's strange but as time goes on 60's architecture - the subject of so much derision - seems to me to get better and better. The 'Olympics' is not actually the monstrosity I once thought it was - its even 'iconic' perhaps!!!. Like you Cnosni ,I'm gonna miss it...    

[cnosni]

drapesy wrote: -Looking forward to set this set big-time Phill!!!It's strange but as time goes on 60's architecture - the subject of so much derision - seems to me to get better and better. The 'Olympics' is not actually the monstrosity I once thought it was - its even 'iconic' perhaps!!!. Like you Cnosni ,I'm gonna miss it...     Yeah,i drive by it and keep looking back to admire it,not easy on that slip road on to the A58,in fact down right dangerous.I think that the Olympics are now the clear exception to the rule when it comes to 60s architecture.I have said before that i think that as a generation of Loiners who were around at its demise that we may well be derided for letting it go.Then again,what could we do with it,bl**dy hell,what about an arena!!Seriously though,those who know better than me state it is beyond economical repair,without being too extreme in example but so was the Leaning Tower of Pisa(oh dear,get some more tablets!!)

[electricaldave]

I always thought that pool was pretty horrible, the changing rooms were cold and impersonal, you didn't take anything valuable if you had any sense, and by that I mean fashionable clothes as well, not just the usual money etc.It was born out of the corruption scandal that engulfed Poulson, it wasn't even the proper length or width to be used to make record attempts at the standard distances, even that was screwed up.It certainly didn't meet Olympic standards so that was a case of bad naming if ever there was one.It also had a big disadvantage that it was in a pretty rubbish place for buses, back when it was opened you had a good old walk from the main bus routes, except perhaps for those on the Kirkstall corridor.That meant that when you left the pool, with still damp hair, and after much exertion, it was a damned cold walk back to the bus station.IIRC the cafe wasn't much good either, its not like they actually put much thought at all into making their customers feel welcome.Nowadays with car ownership more widespread the council must have figured they do not need a town centre site, personally though, I think they mised a trick, and made accessibility even worse, unless there are some major plans to improve the roads network to the new South Leeds site.Part of the lack of atmosphere was caused by the whole minimalist type design.Armley Baths and York Road were so much better for the job, and more modern facilities such as Fearnville, Kirkstall better still, they are not the uncomfortable spartan clinical surroundings that the 'International' pool was.Even the seats for spectators were spectacularly uncomfortable, the whole place was a triumph of form over function, and good riddance to this type of unfeeling, uncaring 60's arrogance that allowed architects to burden the population.I remember those bleak concrete overhangs all the way around, great place for tramps, drunks or just somewhere to have a [edited for content], no wonder the place smelled.I remember back in the early 1970's it looked horrible when you got up close, the concrete was staining back then and time isn't kind to raw concrete at all.I'll bet it looked great as a model, and from a distance it is an interesting shape, but as soon as you get close to it, it this fades, it looks what it is, a concrete monster.It simply wasn't a fun place to be, and that was it's greatest crime.This might dampen an eye or two, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHBCDwfClcI

[cnosni]

electricaldave wrote: I always thought that pool was pretty horrible, the changing rooms were cold and impersonal, you didn't take anything valuable if you had any sense, and by that I mean fashionable clothes as well, not just the usual money etc.It was born out of the corruption scandal that engulfed Poulson, it wasn't even the proper length or width to be used to make record attempts at the standard distances, even that was screwed up.It certainly didn't meet Olympic standards so that was a case of bad naming if ever there was one.It also had a big disadvantage that it was in a pretty rubbish place for buses, back when it was opened you had a good old walk from the main bus routes, except perhaps for those on the Kirkstall corridor.That meant that when you left the pool, with still damp hair, and after much exertion, it was a damned cold walk back to the bus station.IIRC the cafe wasn't much good either, its not like they actually put much thought at all into making their customers feel welcome.Nowadays with car ownership more widespread the council must have figured they do not need a town centre site, personally though, I think they mised a trick, and made accessibility even worse, unless there are some major plans to improve the roads network to the new South Leeds site.Part of the lack of atmosphere was caused by the whole minimalist type design.Armley Baths and York Road were so much better for the job, and more modern facilities such as Fearnville, Kirkstall better still, they are not the uncomfortable spartan clinical surroundings that the 'International' pool was.Even the seats for spectators were spectacularly uncomfortable, the whole place was a triumph of form over function, and good riddance to this type of unfeeling, uncaring 60's arrogance that allowed architects to burden the population.I remember those bleak concrete overhangs all the way around, great place for tramps, drunks or just somewhere to have a [edited for content], no wonder the place smelled.I remember back in the early 1970's it looked horrible when you got up close, the concrete was staining back then and time isn't kind to raw concrete at all.I'll bet it looked great as a model, and from a distance it is an interesting shape, but as soon as you get close to it, it this fades, it looks what it is, a concrete monster.It simply wasn't a fun place to be, and that was it's greatest crime.This might dampen an eye or two, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHBCDwfClcI Many valid points there,that echoed my own experiences as a yoof.However you cant compare the metal shed of Feanville to the Olympics,and i can tell you that ive saw many a person P***ing behind Fearnville.

[Phill_d]

yeah i got a nice set of images i'll do a good story with full size pics & history and stuff when i get the exterior and demolition shots in the bag. the building is in a mess as it's had an invasive asbestos tests with big holes everywhere, cladding ripped down, the paint is peeling like mad in the corridors now the heating has been turned off & it condensates. The roof is leaking really badly into both pools, apparently they used to patch the holes up with black bin liners held down with bricks when it became apparent it was closing. The dome on the spire is rumoured to have plutonium in it, they don't think it has but a specialist contractor will have to be called in to get rid of it. The pool was emptied really slowly as it has never been empty in 40years, it gets topped up & filtered. they thought there would be a chance the walls would explode if the outward water pressure was taken of them too fast. There will be a full size sculpture in the pool area to be opened to the public in February i think.

[Phill_d]

Brandy wrote: well Phil i take my hat off to you and the crew once again excellent work by the (rapidly becoming infamous lol) L.H.E.Sthe memories i have of this place just come flooding back man i can almost taste them toasted current teacakes from upstairs in the cafe! NO BOMBING! NO RUNNING! NO SMOKING! NO PETTING!ha ha the last one used to puzzle me slightly!great work phil nice one.     nice one Brandy. i never saw that sign there but i got one from the closed Harphurey baths in Manchester.    

[wiggy]

chameleon wrote: 500 000 litres I believe! Maybe there was a reason for letting it out slowly after all, sort of had a vission of a large plug in the deep bit and the River Aire rising a foot or two. Could this simply have been the diving area being pumped out I wonder? its more than any 500,000 litres...a lot more,the 20ft tanks i move about down the docks hold 20.000 litres so we're looking at a million,easy.plus the 16ft diving area....1 or 2 mil is my guess.    

[wiggy]

does anyone remember those wire frames you used to get for your clothes,long before the lockers were installed?they all had numbers on them and you got a safety pin with your corresponding number on it.the council must be running out of top venues and iconic buildings to tear down by now....town hall,markets and corn exchange beware!!

[chameleon]

Phill_d wrote: yeah i got a nice set of images i'll do a good story with full size pics & history and stuff when i get the exterior and demolition shots in the bag. the building is in a mess as it's had an invasive asbestos tests with big holes everywhere, cladding ripped down, the paint is peeling like mad in the corridors now the heating has been turned off & it condensates. The roof is leaking really badly into both pools, apparently they used to patch the holes up with black bin liners held down with bricks when it became apparent it was closing. The dome on the spire is rumoured to have plutonium in it, they don't think it has but a specialist contractor will have to be called in to get rid of it. The pool was emptied really slowly as it has never been empty in 40years, it gets topped up & filtered. they thought there would be a chance the walls would explode if the outward water pressure was taken of them too fast. There will be a full size sculpture in the pool area to be opened to the public in February i think. Answers one of my queroes Phill, I've heard concerns about empyting before. It's reasonable that changing conditions aroung the area could alter the stresses levied upon the place.I've watched it deteriorate slowly on the outside at least for many years now, with the drab appearance contributing to the feeling of it being past it though yes, it is an unusual building and quite removed from Poulson's usual shutter-and-pour concrete offerings.It's intended replacement building, the Spiracle, will be quite different - and much bigger.http://www.skyscrapernews.com/buildings.php?id=4303

[tyke bhoy]

electricaldave wrote: unless there are some major plans to improve the roads network to the new South Leeds site. Nope. I think the new stretch of road that now links it to Old Run Road in South Hunslet/Belle Isle allowing a "through" bus route to/from Dewsbury Road is probably the only improvement that has been considered