Splashtastic! Prince of Wales Baths set to re-open

Published: 01 July, 2010
by RICHARD OSLEY

THIS is the amazing scene inside the Prince of Wales Baths where rubble and muddy muck have been replaced with a set of beautifully refurbished swimming pools.

The celebrated Victorian baths in Kentish Town will re-open on Monday, July 25 following a £25million refit, and this is a little sneak preview of what swimmers can expect behind its famous ornate facade in Prince of Wales Road.

Four years ago, the sports centre was facing closure after expensive boiler repairs and a decaying roof caused the pool to close sporadically.

But, after a campaign by swimmers and extensive coverage in the New Journal, the 100-year-old building has been brought back to life in one of only a handful of renovation projects of its kind. It was budgeted for before the recession struck local government finances. 

It is considered one of the best achievements of the Liberal Democrat and Conservative coalition which ran Camden for four years.

Now in charge of the leisure department, Labour councillor Tulip Siddiq said: “I am happy to open Kentish Town Baths on time and on cost. 

“It is sad that the government has taken away the free swimming grant just weeks before the long-awaited opening of the new pools.  

“I am currently looking at ways to keep the programme running over the summer for under-16s and over-60s so it can be available to all, at least at the start. I will be making a further announcement about free swimming soon.”

• Free tours of the new baths can be booked with Camden Council. They are being held on July 24-25