Historic swimming pool set to be transformed into waterpark with kitesurfing, paddleboarding & restaurant among plans
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The historic structure was labelled as 'outdated' and 'in dangerous condition' by the local council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Portsmouth City Council described the building, which first opened in 1904, as outdated and in a dangerous condition, citing structural issues with the walls and roof.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
Irish Daily Mirror
3 hours ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Ireland hero keen for third Lions test to be unforgettable
Tadhg Furlong is set on making Saturday's third Test against Australia a memorable one, as it will likely be his last appearance for the British and Irish Lions. Although Furlong hasn't completely dismissed the possibility of a fourth tour, he acknowledges that the Accor Stadium showdown is probably the final chapter in his Lions journey, marked by his nine consecutive Test starts. When reminded that he would be 36 years old for the next tour to New Zealand, the Ireland prop responded: "Just about to turn 37. Could you imagine? 'My motivation is obvious. I'm not going to say I won't….I probably won't play for the Lions again. 'The Lions have been very good to me. They've been very good to my career. You want to play well. 'I'm kind of leaving a lot of that emotional stuff behind, without being clinical about it. You want to give the best version of yourself to it. 'Sometimes the last memory is the lasting memory you have in a jersey. I want it to be a good one.' Only seven other players have made nine successive Test starts and Furlong is the second to reach that mark in the professional era, a startling achievement for a tighthead who will return home as a Lions great. Willie John McBride heads the list with 15. 'It wasn't something I overly thought of or knew about. I just wanted to try to get on tour and play rugby and see where it got me,' Furlong said. 'It's class to be up there. When I was young and you think of Lions, you don't see yourself there to be mentioned in the same breath as them – and I probably feel the same way now.' Furlong's first tour was as a 24-year-old to New Zealand in 2017 and his development as a player in the intervening years has been significant. 'The game has changed, definitely. Rugby was so different back then. You're around the corner, you're just working hard and then the game got into one-out carriers and I found my mould there,' he said. 'Then the game changed to more of a pass and options at the line and that changed my game. At the minute it's changed into a hybrid of all of them at the minute. You try to change your game as the game changes.' The series was won with a game to spare following last Saturday's 29-26 victory in Melbourne, posting the first successful tour since the 2013 visit to Australia. 'It's such a hard thing to do and history tells you that. When you play for the Lions, you understand why, in terms of moulding everyone together and trying to get them on the same track, and the schedule and travel,' Furlong said. 'As an achievement, as a team, there's not a massive body of work. You have eight weeks of work to show for it. It's probably one of the more satisfying achievements that I've been a part of.'
The Irish Sun
4 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Chelsea handed major Xavi Simons transfer boost as in-demand star REMOVES RB Leipzig from his social media
CHELSEA target Xavi Simons has removed all mention of RB Leipzig from his social media bio. 1 Xavi Simons has deleted mention of RB Leipzig from his social media page Credit: AFP Play Dream Team now! Play The Sun Dream Team ahead of the 2025/26 season Free to play Over £100,000 in total prize money Play in Mini Leagues against your mates Submit a team for Gameweek 1 to enter £5,000 prize draw The German club are demanding a fee of £60million and Amid the rumours, attacking midfielder Simons has deleted the fact he is an It now only says he is an ambassador for charity Unicef and is sponsored by Puma. Posts of him wearing an RB Leipzig kit have not been taken down. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL Eagle-eyed fans have also spotted in recent days that he has begun following several Chelsea stars on Instagram like Fans reckon it is all a sign of him moving to Stamford Bridge before the window slams shut. One supporter said: "It's happening." BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK Most read in Football Another added: "Here we go confirmed." A third commented: "It suggests he's either come to an agreement on personal terms or is basically there." Chelsea launch bid for £52m Ajax teen sensation Jorrel Hato | Transfers Exposed However, it has been reported that Chelsea need to get players off the books before they can complete the deal for Simons. But Simons is said to be working with agent Ali Barat, who has close ties to Chelsea.
The Irish Sun
7 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Chantelle Cameron drops biggest hint yet at Katie Taylor trilogy with pointed message on Instagram amid war of words
CHANTELLE CAMERON declared she is "ready for my shot" at challenging Katie Taylor for her undisputed super lightweight belts. Advertisement 2 Chantelle Cameron retained the interim WBC super lightweight championship against Jessica Camara Credit: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile 2 She has offered a big hint at a trilogy against Katie Taylor Credit: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile It set her up for a potential trilogy bout against And on She said: "Little break almost coming to an end. Ready for my shot at the 140 world title" The rivalry between the two has stepped up a notch since Taylor's win over Serrano last month. Advertisement Read More on Katie Taylor They have fought twice before, both at the 3Arena in Dublin , with Cameron handing the Bray woman her first professional defeat. Taylor responded in style by avenging that loss just six months later, in November 2023, to become However, a trilogy does not appear to be on KT's mind, as she illustrated with her In the post-fight press conference after her win over Serrano, she remarked: "I think Chantelle has to see if she can sell-out a 10,000-seater arena first. Advertisement Most read in Boxing "I don't think she can sell out any stadium at all. "I think I made her more money than she deserves, to be quite honest." Katie Taylor shares inspirational message to British & Irish Lions The 34-year-old said: "@katie_t86 be disrespectful all you want. But you shouted me out for YOUR HOMECOMING and I gave you your first loss with zero controversy. Advertisement "Dragging me back & having to headbut & hug the life out of me to win the rematch. "Now full of any excuses not to fight". She followed this up with a screenshot of an Instagram post from Taylor in which the Bray Bomber called her nemesis out for their first encounter. She said: "Don't forget @katie_t86 who called who now I'm not "not worthy" enough & done me a "favour"?? Advertisement "Stay humble Katie, the @mostvaluablepromotions money is going to your head. "Don't forget @katie_t86 who called who out and you wanted me for your homecoming-I accepted. So you done me no favour I ruined your party. "Stay humble this money is going to your head that @mostvaluablepromotions @jakepaul @nakisabidarian are paying you". 'DISCREDITING THE SPORT' And the Sky Sports. Advertisement She said: "Usually she's quite respectful and she's a massive role model for the younger generation. "To put someone down and discredit another boxer, when you're a huge role model, she didn't really carry herself well in that press conference. "I was quite shocked at her comments. We're trying to grow the sport, instead of talking and behaving like that. "You're just discrediting the sport and it's not really a good image for the next generation coming through." Advertisement She continued: "It's 1-1, it's one apiece. I won the first fight pretty convincingly. The second fight with Katie, there was a dispute. "When she beat me, she said it was the performance of a lifetime, but in all honesty, it was a scrappy fight and there was a lot of cuddling that wasn't boxing . "If you want to give yourself praise for a performance like that, then maybe she shouldn't box me again. "If that's how she wants to beat me, that's fair enough. But she can't say she's a better boxer than me. I take it as a compliment. She's scared to fight me. Advertisement " Women 's boxing, it's a hard enough sport without talking about money and purses and who's getting paid what and 'I'm going to give you this payday'. "You don't have to like each other, not at all. "But to make women's boxing grow and get more people following and watching it and also the younger generation to behave in a certain way without being trashy, then we should all be supporting each other. "Again, you don't have to like each other, but you don't have to put others down." Advertisement
