The Sunday Splash - Exclusive: Whitehill Pool’s Future Hangs in the Balance as Council Reports Loom
Fate of facility to be discussed next month
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Exclusive: Whitehill Pool’s Future on the Line as Glasgow City Council Prepares Key Reports
As Glasgow City Council prepares to release critical reports next month about the future of Dennistoun’s Whitehill Pool, the pressure is mounting on local officials to take decisive action. For those who have followed the saga of the pool's closure—due to the discovery of dangerous Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC)—this exclusive update provides essential insights into the repair and refurbishment plans that could finally bring the community’s long-awaited answers.
In this exclusive report, we break down the latest developments and what they mean for Dennistoun residents who have long relied on Whitehill Pool as a community hub.
As a vital resource for local families, particularly low-income households, the pool’s closure has disrupted everything from swimming lessons to community connections. Yet, amid this uncertainty, some hope remains that with the Commonwealth Games approaching, further investment could be allocated to reopen the pool as part of the event’s legacy.
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EXCLUSIVE by Gary Fanning
The future of Dennistoun’s Whitehill Pool may soon become clearer as Glasgow City Council prepares to present critical reports on repair and refurbishment costs.
Key findings regarding the impact of Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) across council properties are expected at a private meeting of the Capitals Programme Board next month, with recommendations for capital spending to follow.
Additionally, full refurbishment costs for Whitehill Pool may be announced separately by the end of the month.
A subsequent meeting will likely address potential funding approvals for both RAAC remediation and broader repairs.
Community Voices on Display: 'Save Whitehill Pool' appears at the corner of Whitehill Street and Roselea Drive, reflecting growing frustration over the pool’s closure. But now some graffiti has appeared on the board
Commonwealth Games Context
Optimism is growing among some that the upcoming Commonwealth Games could bring further investment to reopen the pool as part of the event’s legacy.
A Glasgow Life representative attending Tuesday’s Dennistoun Community Council meeting noted potential financial support:
“There is money sitting there,” the representative said. “Having a community pool fully shut down when the Commonwealth Games is happening... there’s a good chance [it will reopen].”
However, community members remained cautious.
Dennistoun Community Council Chair Frank Plowright observed: “The optics are not looking good for that.”
The Glasgow Life representative emphasised that closing a pool down during the Commonwealth Games would be difficult to justify given the opportunity for funding coming into the city.
Calls for Transparency
Residents expressed growing frustration over delays in decision-making, urging officials to shift focus toward comprehensive refurbishment.
“We’re getting bogged down in the RAAC issue,” one resident said. “The story has moved on to getting the full cost of refurbishment.
“The decision on whether to rebuild seems to have been delayed for two years.”
Mr Plowright pressed for clarity on timelines: “It would be useful to get any kind of timescale for the next meeting.”
Glasgow Life representatives committed to providing monthly updates.
Attending the meeting, Councillor Anthony Carroll of the Scottish Greens confirmed that the Capitals Programme Board meeting would present the RAAC status across council properties and make capital spending recommendations.
Despite these anticipated developments, residents voiced scepticism:
“I still don’t think the RAAC meeting will give us a decision,” one remarked. “The cost of a rebuild has been delayed for two years.”
Community Frustrations and Advocacy
The pool’s closure continues to affect local residents and organisations like Whitehill Swimming Club, which previously offered affordable lessons to many low-income families.
Operating hours remain reduced, and alternative options remain inadequate.
A recent video by Dennistoun Community Council in December featured heartfelt testimonials from campaigners, councillors, and MSPs, reflecting on the pool’s closure and its impact.
The 16-minute film highlighted the importance of Whitehill Pool to generations of residents and renewed calls for its reopening.
Glasgow Life acknowledged awareness of the forthcoming council meeting but refrained from pre-empting its outcomes.
As Dennistoun waits for answers, the community remains determined to safeguard a vital resource for Glasgow’s East End.
With mounting concerns about competing budget priorities and limited progress on repairs, residents continue their campaign for transparency and action, unwilling to let Whitehill Pool become a forgotten asset.