Back down town we go for the final construction image, with this one here of the Leisure Centre in progress in the early 70's.
The stone building to the right of shot is the old baths which they kept open until the new one had been completed.
It looks like a few volunteers from Douglas went down looking for work in 1972 to help out but obviously there wasn't anyone around at the time, so they just left a message.
A smashing bunch of lads!
Photo from Gordon C.
We used to go down to the leisure centre some Saturday mornings around 1974/75, not for a swim, but to have a game of table tennis. Always a thoroughly enjoyable couple of hours spent, then off to the machine for a cup of orange!
ReplyDeleteWhen first opened the cafeteria/restaurant was quite a sumptuous affair. The part projecting out towards the river was always roped off, with a sign saying 'Waitress Service Only'. I never once saw a waitress, nor anyone sitting there.
ReplyDeleteNeale, I sat in that section just recently, for the first time. It was a disappointment. The whole place is very run down, as you might expect. But I suppose in its heyday it must have been a great spot for dining.. amazing views of the river and the bridge. Now all you can see are flumes and concrete cancer.
ReplyDeleteI used to love visiting the Olympia as a bairn with my dad and wee brother and, like others have said, the post-swim visit to the cafeteria was a treat. I remember when the flumes opened circa 1987, when I was about 11, it was as if Dundee was getting its very own Alton Towers, such seemed to be the excitement surrounding them. I was too wimpy to try the "straight down" yellow flume though!
ReplyDeleteI once saw Walter Smith there (just before he went on to be Rangers manager first time round) standing next to the viewing area.
Haven't been back for years, and am unlikely to do so before it shuts for good.
table tennis could end up a nightmare if yir mate was good, you ended up squashed against the glass as he melted the ba at yi,and you had nae room for backswing, and we fowk watchin jist how bad yi were as they passed :) i think the "waitress service only" bit ended up a wee gym @ one time , sure i trained there a few times in the winter .
ReplyDeleteGreat photo and post - although it has tae be said that Hulltoon Huns rull ya bass!
ReplyDeletecan someone please confirm that the yellow flume when 1st opened at olympia did not come out in the diving pool but next to the blue and green (but not in the splash pool). thanks
ReplyDeletewow...even in the 70s folk were graffiting YTR!?
ReplyDeleteI may be 2 years too late but we were the first band to play the fabled Leisure Centre Saturday night dances run by the Labour party as a fund raising tool. I wonder if anybody remembers these dances and the band Badge. Great site.
ReplyDeleteI was the vocalist in the band badge.The place used to be packed out 300+.Band members were Ray Murray vocals,Pat Ferry Guitar,Billy Mullen Guitar,Brian McDermott Drums replaced by Brian McGovern.I am still playing Vocals and Guitar.Dont know about the rest of the guys.
DeleteI worked on the site on mechanical installation, there were a lot of problems with the building as many of the sizes were different than were on the drawings. Many years later we used to run disco's up in the Leisure Centre.
ReplyDeleteAnyone remember Gordon who used to swim here . He was always chucking young boys up in the air and into the water . Everyone thought he was harmless but what his hands was doing to me under the water was a criminal offence .
ReplyDelete