FAQs
As an independent heritage charity, we welcome you to our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) section! We understand you may have some queries and we’re here to help. This section aims to provide clear and concise answers to the most common questions we receive. We hope you find these FAQs helpful and informative. If you need further assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact our volunteer support team.
When are the Bon Accord Baths going to re-open?
The project is very complex, with many moving parts that are interdependent on others. At this point, we’re not able to put a date in the diary as we’re still working through the project delivery plan. Rest assured – as soon as there is a date you will be the first to know!
Why did the Bon Accord Baths close?
The Bon Accord Baths closed in 2008 after a period of closure for refurbishment. Scottish Government cuts to central budgets led to challenging decisions needing to be made around leisure provision within Aberdeen City and the Baths were earmarked for closure. See more of our history here – Our Story
How can the Bon Accord Baths be run sustainably?
We are exploring different options and thanks to a comprehensive energy survey completed in 2023 we have a clear vision of different ways to lower the energy requirements of the Baths. We are working closely with a consultant and architect supporting the pre-RIBA Stage 1 work to ensure these options are progressed appropriately. Some suggestions being explored include the provision of photovoltaic panels, battery storage, replacing internal lighting with LED and more.
What’s the long-term goal for the Bon Accord Baths?
As an independent heritage charity, we plan to bring the Baths back to its former glory, as a swimming pool. We will be looking to utilise ancillary spaces in different ways, to ensure the Baths fulfils the needs of the community, for all to enjoy.
What’s the condition of the building like? Is there any asbestos?
The structure of the Baths is remarkably solid after the completion of extensive roof works commissioned by Bon Accord Heritage to keep the Baths wind and watertight. We continue to monitor this, and act as required. There is asbestos in the building, as is common for buildings of its age, but it is isolated to the basement, which is not open to the public.
What support does the charity receive?
We are an independent heritage charity, with a board comprising of local people with a combination of different skills. Our official name is Bon Accord Heritage SCIO, but we are best known as Save Bon Accord Baths.
We have been lucky enough to secure funding from The National Lottery Community Fund, the Architectural Heritage Trust, the Pilgrim Trust, the Press and Journal 275 Community Fund, amongst others. We are also very lucky to be supported so well by the public through donations and purchases of merchandise which all contribute to our unrestricted funding, allowing us to conduct maintenance in the building and support the meanwhile uses while we drive the project forward.
We’re also fortunate that Aberdeen City Council, whilst not contributing financially, supports the project by insuring the building, paying for the standing charge attributed to National Grid capacity and has noted their formal support of the project in writing from the Chief Executive. Aberdeen City Council also provides us with our Licence to Occupy, which grants us access to the Baths and permission to undertake remedial work.
How many staff members do you have?
0! We are entirely volunteer led, with no members of paid staff. We engage external consultants where external expertise that we do not have within the board or volunteer team is required.
What’s the plan to raise the funds to re-open the Bon Accord Baths?
We have funded all the work required to get us to RIBA Stage 1 which is our current target. After this point, we have identified several heritage funders who we will approach but the funding landscape is very challenging considering current affairs – this is expected to be a challenging target to overcome but we are ready for it!
Why can’t you just put water in the pool?
The pool plant was laid in 1936, and whilst some modernisations were made to the building over time, after being closed for a decade, a significant amount of investment is required to bring it up to modern standards to operate sustainably.
The Baths is a Grade 2 listed Art Deco heritage building, and to ensure its long-term role as a landmark in the city, this must be approached sympathetically and through the lens of a heritage restoration project.