Love this photo! From 1980, a whopping big hole has been excavated in the public park. Why? Well, it was to become the new swimming pool of a brand new Sports Centre.
In this photo, taken from roughly where the festive gala site is now, you can see the concrete floor of the large sports centre hall and in the background the construction of the swimming pool walls. Existing houses in John Street at the back are recognisable and gives the photo a location reference.
At the time of this photo, the construction of the sports centre represented the most expensive building the council had ever embarked on, only with exception to their own HQ county buildings in Hamilton. This was considerable investment for Blantyre and nearly stopped several times by Hamilton Council who complained that Blantyre was getting too much money spent on it!
With thanks to George Hay for this brilliant photo.
Featuring Blantyre Project Social Media with permission. Strictly not for use by others on or offline, our visitors said:
Arlene Campbell Great photo Paul
Tricia Allan-Martin I LOVED when the sports centre came to Blantyre. Before it, we used to have to get two buses up to East Kilbride to play badminton on Saturday mornings. It’s still a brilliant facility for Blantyre. Great range of classes and fantastic instructors.
Linda Halpin Tricia Allan-Martin Worked there too for a wee while x
Catherine Smith Go for a swim then a light body’s chip buttie great memories
Edward Mccartney Went swimming twice a day loved it, looking back I now know why my mum sent me twice a day, PEACE AND QUIET
Gordon Mather End of the time we were brought up there, start of a new era
Blantyre Project I suddenly remembered being in the upper cafe when it opened. Roll and chips after the swimming and the amazement of seeing a Space Invader and Pacman machine for the first time!
James Sime Blantyre Project loved the juke box in there.
James Sime There was also a bar just off the cafe
Jim McSorley Blantyre Project had a sauna there once with my brother, big peter Bolton was there too what a laugh we had listening to his banter.