During January i blagged myself a trip around the Leeds International pool, closed since October 2007, the building has been ripped apart by an invasive asbestos test in readiness for demolition spring/early summer. In the space of 2 months the place has deteriated rapidly, No money has been spent on maintenance in the last few years of it's life, resulting in rain water pouring in and ceiling tiles littering the empty pool.
Love it or hate it the International pool is one of Leeds most iconic landmarks. The building has enjoyed a controversial life from the day it opened in 1967. The architect John Poulson caused a major political scandal throughout 23 local authorities in England.
Unwelcome to Leeds International pool.
The reception area showing damage from the asbestos test.
The city of Leeds honours was board was left lying on the floor. Adrian Moorhouse was one of the big names on it.
Over 2 million litres of water filled the pool. The pool has never been empty in 40 years. The water was drained over several days to realise the pressure slow, there was fears the walls could explode and collapse.
Rain water and ceiling tiles in the empty pool.
Up in the roof space above the pool.
Under the glass pyramid on the roof.
Rain water & asbestos test damage.
A retro blast from the past. The swimming times 1976. A right riveting read. NOT
I for one will be sad to see the pool go. I think it's a classic example of 1960's concrete, brutalist architecture the city should keep.
There's more of my pics, The Poulson scandal that led right to the Conservative home secretary himself. And was the pool really built 1 inch too short to host Olympic games here
http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=265602590&blogID=361721416
Love it or hate it the International pool is one of Leeds most iconic landmarks. The building has enjoyed a controversial life from the day it opened in 1967. The architect John Poulson caused a major political scandal throughout 23 local authorities in England.
Unwelcome to Leeds International pool.
The reception area showing damage from the asbestos test.
The city of Leeds honours was board was left lying on the floor. Adrian Moorhouse was one of the big names on it.
Over 2 million litres of water filled the pool. The pool has never been empty in 40 years. The water was drained over several days to realise the pressure slow, there was fears the walls could explode and collapse.
Rain water and ceiling tiles in the empty pool.
Up in the roof space above the pool.
Under the glass pyramid on the roof.
Rain water & asbestos test damage.
A retro blast from the past. The swimming times 1976. A right riveting read. NOT
I for one will be sad to see the pool go. I think it's a classic example of 1960's concrete, brutalist architecture the city should keep.
There's more of my pics, The Poulson scandal that led right to the Conservative home secretary himself. And was the pool really built 1 inch too short to host Olympic games here
http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=265602590&blogID=361721416
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