Historic swimming pool set to be transformed into waterpark with kitesurfing, paddleboarding & restaurant among plans
A
HISTORIC swimming pool is set to be demolished - with plans in the works to replace it with a packed-out water sports facility.
The location has seen over a century of British history, providing a training ground for World War II heroes.
3
Eastney Swimming Pool was first built in 1904 and operated for over a century before closing its doors in 1904
Credit: Portsmouth City Council
3
The historic structure was labelled as 'outdated' and 'in dangerous condition' by the local council
Credit: Portsmouth City Council
Eastney Swimming Pool in Southsea, Portsmouth closed its doors in 2020 during the Covid pandemic and has never re-opened.
Portsmouth City Council described the building, which first opened in 1904, as outdated and in a dangerous condition, citing structural issues with the walls and roof.
Plans were officially approved earlier this year to demolish the historic structure.
A £23.4 million project at nearby Bransbury Park will see a new leisure centre facility replace the former pool, featuring a swimming pool, gym, and GP surgery.
However, the fate of the Eastney Swimming Pool site remains less certain.
The demolition could potentially make way for a new water sports centre, says
The hub would include facilities for kite-boarding, kayaking, and paddle-boarding.
And of course, kayaking is deeply rooted within the site's history, as the Cockleshell Heroes are reported to have trained there.
Most read in News Travel
The iconic mission saw 13 Royal Marines attempt to paddle in kayaks to blow up German ships in the occupied part of Bordeaux in 1942.
These men are believed to have trained for the stealthy mission in part at the former pool.
The perfect Haven holiday park for a kid-friendly break - with direct beach access, indoor waterpark and neighbouring seaside theme park
Only two of the marine survived the partially successful raid.
Historic England declined to support listing the pool as a protected structure over its association with the mission.
Portsmouth City Council has allocated £100,000 for the historic pool's demolition.
The pool was also one of the first venues to host underwater hockey - octopush - matches.
A new water sports venue on the site could provide a centrepiece for Portsmouth's Seafront Master Plan, most recently updated in 2021.
This Heated Lido Is In The Middle Of London
This outdoor pool is next to a popular London tube station...
Less well-known than other lidos in London like Brockwell Lido, London Fields Lido and
Located on Endell Street, the Oasis Sports Centre is just a five-minute walk from
Known only to locals and
There are also three squash courts, a sauna, and a large rooftop terrace on the site.
The plans for the water sports hub include facilities like changing rooms, storage, and showers.
"It has been an ambition of the council to provide a facility like this for many years, so it's great news that we can start to move forward on this project," said Councillor Steve Pitt, leader of Portsmouth Council.
"We have a real opportunity to create something that enhances this very unique environment, so we need to make sure we get this right.
"This is why we are consulting early, so we can get a clear understanding of what sports should be provided for and what other facilities should be provided in any new centre."
Read more on the Irish Sun
One of the
And an abandoned Victorian church that was turned into one of the
3
A new leisure centre is currently being constructed at the nearby Bransbury Park to replace the outdated facilities
Credit: Portsmouth City Council
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
5 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
‘Don't believe everything that's written' – Florian Wirtz hits out at Liverpool transfer rumours in 14-word statement
FLORIAN WIRTZ has hit out at reports claiming he wants to snatch a Liverpool star's shirt number to join the club. The German ace is on the brink of joining the Reds if they can strike a deal with Advertisement 4 Florian Wirtz has hit out at Liverpool transfer rumours in 14-word statement Credit: Instagram @flowirtz 4 It comes after reports suggested he wanted to take the No10 shirt off of Alexis Mac Allister Credit: Getty Bayer have already rejected an offer worth £109million as they hold out for a British transfer record payment of £126m (€150 million). A report from Sky Sport Germany claimed the 22-year-old wanted to be given the No10 shirt if he joins the Anfield outfit - having already agreed personal terms. However, Wirtz has directly addressed that claim on social media. Taking to his Instagram story, he wrote: "Who says I want the 10 [emoji]. Advertisement READ MORE IN FOOTBALL "I respect players. "Don't believe everything that's written," followed by a clown emoji. World Cup winner Alexis Mac Allister is the current owner of the shirt, having taken it when he joined Liverpool from Brighton in 2023. Wirtz wears the No10 for his club but wears the No17 for the German national team. Advertisement Most read in Football Breaking Exclusive BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK Previous owners of the No10 shirt at Liverpool include Sadio Mane, Joe Cole, Michael Owen, Frimpong jets into UK with Leverkusen star to complete £30m Liverpool move City pulled out of the race early after realising the cost of the overall package to land the German could set them back £252m. Advertisement Wirtz will become the biggest English transfer of all time if Liverpool stump up the money Bayer are demanding to sell him. Liverpool have already announced the 4 Advertisement 4
The Irish Sun
7 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
‘I remember him as he was – not lying in a bed': Michael Schumacher's F1 boss gives tragic insight into star's health
MICHAEL Schumacher's former boss has given rare insight into the F1 legend's condition - 12 years after the skiing accident that changed his life. While the German seven-time world champion, now 56, hasn't been seen in public since 2013, his Benetton manager says he speaks often with Schumacher's family. Advertisement 5 Flavio Briatore (right) has revealed insight into the health of F1 icon Michael Schumacher (left) Credit: Press Association 5 Schumacher pictured on the shoulders of Briatore and race director Tom Walkinshaw after his 1994 World Championship victory has not been seen since 2013 Credit: Alamy 5 His wife Corinna gave an update on his health in a rare 2021 documentary Credit: Alamy Flavio Briatore, 75, led the Benetton F1 team during Schumacher's breakthrough years, playing a key role in his first two world championships. Briatore appeared to confirm to an Italian newspaper that Schumacher is bed-bound, amid scarce details of his condition due to the family's commitment to privacy. "If I close my eyes," he told Corriere della Sera, "I see him smiling after a victory. "I prefer to remember him like that rather than him just lying on a bed. Corinna and I talk often, though." Advertisement Read more sport news Briatore's update follows a "Only three people can visit him and I know who they are." Claims that Schumacher can no longer speak were echoed by his son Mick in a 2021 Netflix documentary about his father's life. The 26-year-old driver said: "I think dad and me, we would understand each other now in a different way now." Advertisement Most read in Motorsport In the 2021 documentary, Corinna gave a rare update, revealing Schumacher is still undergoing rehabilitation and is In April, Schumacher What do we know about Schumacher since his accident? MICHAEL Schumacher's life changed forever on December 29, 2013, when a skiing accident left the seven-time F1 champion with a severe brain injury. Since then, his family has protected his privacy, with only a select few remaining in contact with the racing legend. December 29, 2013 - The skiing accident : Schumacher suffers a life-threatening head injury while skiing off-piste in Méribel, France. He falls and hits his head on a rock, causing severe brain trauma despite wearing a helmet. He is airlifted to a hospital in Grenoble, where he undergoes two emergency surgeries. Doctors place him in a medically induced coma to reduce swelling in his brain. January 2014 - Schumacher fights for his life : Schumacher remains in a coma. Doctors describe his condition as 'critical but stable'. His family, led by wife Corinna, remains at his bedside. The world's F1 community rallies behind him, with fans holding vigils outside the hospital. June 2014 - Schumacher brought out of his coma : After nearly six months, Schumacher is brought out of his coma. His family confirms he is no longer in a coma but gives no further health details. He is transferred from Grenoble to a rehabilitation facility in Lausanne, Switzerland. September 2014 - Back home: Schumacher is moved to his family home near Lake Geneva. Corinna announces he will continue his recovery at home, with a dedicated medical team. 2015–2018 - Mystery surrounding his health: Reports suggest Schumacher is receiving round-the-clock medical care at home, costing £50,000 per week. Jean Todt reveals he still visits Schumacher and that they watch F1 races together. May 2017 - German magazine sued by Schumacher's family: The magazine Bunte has to pay Michael Schumacher €50,000 (£42,000) in damages after claiming in 2015 that Schumacher would walk again. The Hamburg regional court determined that the statement was false and infringed upon Schumacher's right to privacy. September 2019 - Schumacher secretly transferred to Paris : French media reports that Schumacher is taken to Paris for stem cell therapy at the Georges-Pompidou Hospital. The procedure is led by renowned surgeon Dr. Philippe Menasché. Details of the treatment remain undisclosed. December 2019 - Manager issues rare statement : Schumacher's longtime manager Sabine Kehm says his condition will remain private. She dismisses speculation and false reports about his health. September 2021 - Netflix documentary 'Schumacher' released : A new Netflix documentary, Schumacher, provides rare insights into his life. Corinna speaks publicly about his condition for the first time, saying: 'Michael is here. Different, but he's here, and that gives us strength.' December 2023 - 10 years since the accident : Schumacher turns 55. The anniversary of his accident is marked by tributes from the F1 world. Jean Todt confirms he still sees Schumacher regularly and describes his visits as 'full of affection'. September 2024 - Daughter Gina's wedding : Gina Schumacher, 27, marries longtime boyfriend Iain Bethke at the family's £27million Majorca villa. Reports claim Schumacher attends the wedding, but close friend Johnny Herbert later calls it 'A1 fake news'. Guests are reportedly required to hand over their phones to prevent leaks. December 2024 - Schumacher to become a grandfather : Gina announces she is pregnant, three months after her wedding. She shares the news on Instagram, writing: 'Impatiently awaiting the arrival of our little girl.' 5 Schumacher's initials 'M.S' can be seen signed on the bottom part of the helmet belonging to fellow F1 icon Sir Jackie Stewart Credit: Matt Wardle and Bell Racing Emotional moment Michael Schumacher's son and Sebastian Vettel pay tribute to stricken F1 legend The helmet will be auctioned to raise money for Stewart's charity Race Against Dementia. Advertisement Johnny Herbert, Schumacher's teammate at Benetton between 1994 to 1995, He told "We haven't seen something emotional like this in years, and hopefully, it's a sign. "Hopefully, Michael is on the mend. It's been a long, horrible journey for the family, and maybe we'll hopefully see him in the F1 paddock soon." Advertisement Schumacher is one of the most successful F1 drivers of all time, winning world titles in 1994, 1995 and five consecutive years from 2000 to 2004. He also racked up 71 fastest laps and 155 podiums during his racing career. When asked who the greatest driver of all time is, Briatore told Corriere de Sera: "I don't know who the greatest is, because we've had Schumacher, Senna, Alonso. "Now, the number one is definitely (Max) Verstappen. I have two cars at Alpine, so I would like to have two Verstappens." Advertisement 5 Schumacher kisses Briatore in 2000 Credit: Reuters
Irish Daily Mirror
7 hours ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Kieran Molloy vows to make Galway a boxing capital ahead of Pearse Stadium bout
Kieran Molloy has vowed to make Kaisee Benjamin wish he did his homework when the pair clash at Pearse Stadium in Galway on 28 June. Molloy is unbeaten in 11 professional fights, and not only does he want to become a world champion, but he wants to take his county along for the ride. The 26-year-old flew in from London on Tuesday morning, where he trains with Charlie Beat, and went straight to the home of Galway GAA. He will be the headline act of the first event to be held at the Salthill stadium, and as he walked around the pitch and up the steps of the main stand, it was obvious that the enormity of the occasion was hitting him. The Oughterard man told the Irish Mirror: "I've been dreaming of moments like this since I was a kid. "I've been here for many big football and hurling matches. I've got a few great mates playing football now for Galway, Matthew Tierney and Johnny Heaney, they'd all be local lads from where I'm from, so I know what the atmosphere and the crowds are like here. "It's just huge now to be able to bring it back to the West of Ireland and have a first ever outdoor stadium. "This has been my vision. I really do believe that Galway can become an active hub for Irish boxing. We're making history with this show alone. "They've always had shows in Belfast and Dublin, and Galway's been missing out on all that. But on 28 June, people are going to set it for real and it's going to be very exciting. I think everyone is going to get right behind it. "It's brilliant to be able to bring a different sport to this venue." It was typical Galway weather for the press conference, a cold wind blowing and showers of rain. Indeed, Molloy's opponent Benjamin started to shiver as the fighters sat down to talk about the upcoming fight. And the Englishman, a former British title challenger, could be forgiven for wishing he were elsewhere as he revealed that he is on baby alert. "My last couple of fights haven't been my past, as I had stuff going on outside of the ring. But I have got that all sorted now. "I have a little girl on the way. The due date is the day after the fight, so I've got my wife eating prunes, dates and pineapples, everything to get it out earlier." He added: "I'm doing it for her, my unborn child. I'm doing it for her future and my future. "It's all or nothing for me." Experienced campaigner Benjamin (18-4-1) raised some eyebrows when he said that he had never seen Molloy in the ring. Asked how highly he rated the Galway man, he said: "To be honest, I've never seen him box. You might think I am being a bit naive, but that's the way I do things." Molloy was quick to respond to this revelation, saying, "Fairy play Kaisee for stepping in as the last seven or eight opponents have all pulled out for one reason or another, but I would recommend that you get studying before 28 June or you could be in big trouble!" The fight night is stacked with a brilliant undercard, including the likes of Belfast's Sean McComb, Westmeath's Joe Ward, and Hughie Fury, the cousin of heavyweight king Tyson, and a late addition to the bill. But there is no doubt that Molloy, who was joined at Pearse Stadium by a host of family and friends, will bring the star attraction as he looks to inspire a new generation of Galway boxers. He said: "When I started off boxing in the Oughterard Club, I was five years old, but I had dreams to fight here. "That's where it all started for me, and the great coaching I received, and all the fans travelling up and down the country, around Europe and around the world to watch me fight, it's all preparation for these nights, and I'm going to grab this with both hands. "I think everybody's in for a shock about how much noise this place is actually going to make on the night. "It's going to build a massive platform for Galway boxing. "In Belfast, you've got your Lewis Crockers and your Michael Conlons, in Dublin you've got your Katie Taylors, and in Galway it's going to be the Kieran Molloy show. We're going to build it massive."
