Western Baths facts for kids
The Western Baths Club, often just called "the Baths," is a really old and special place for swimming and relaxing. It was started way back in 1876 and is still in the same spot in Glasgow, Scotland. This amazing building was designed by architects Clarke & Bell and is considered a very important historic building. It's one of only two Victorian-era swimming pools like it left in Glasgow!
Over the years, the Club has grown. It added a new building next door with a modern sports hall and gym. This means members have even more cool things to do there.
Discovering The Western Baths Club
The Baths are famous for some unique features. Imagine trapeze and exercise rings hanging right over the swimming pool – how cool is that? It also has a special Victorian Turkish bath, which is a type of steam bath. This is super rare, as it's one of only three left in all of Scotland! The Club is also a proud member of the Historic Pools of Britain, being one of just eleven Victorian pools still around in the whole UK.
A Journey Through Time
The Western Baths have had an exciting history, facing some tough times but always bouncing back. At one point, the Club actually closed down and was almost falling apart, but thankfully, it was successfully reopened.
Another big challenge happened in the 1970s. Part of the old Victorian roof over the swimming pool collapsed! The heating system was also having problems, and the Club was losing money. But thanks to the hard work of people like William M. Mann CBE, who helped get funding, the Club was saved and kept going strong.
Who Runs the Club?
In the old Victorian days, the person in charge was called the "Bathsmaster." It was like being the manager of the swimming pool. Over its long history, there have been five different Bathsmaster leaders.
Today, the Club still has a manager, but the title is now "General Manager." This person is in charge of everything at the Club. The current General Manager is Ms Kathleen McCurry, who took on the role in March 2022.
Looking Ahead
The Western Baths Club is getting ready for a huge celebration! In 2026, it will celebrate its 150th birthday. That's a really long time for a club to be open and enjoyed by so many people.
Back in 1929, a writer named Alison F Blood mentioned in her book Kelvinside Days that even though there were other baths in Glasgow, everyone just knew "the Baths" meant The Western Baths. It shows how special and well-known this place has always been!
