Tag: Portobello Swim Centre

Next steps set out for Portobello Swim Centre refurbishment following strong public support

Edinburgh Leisure has set out the next steps in the refurbishment of Portobello Swim Centre following a major public consultation which showed overwhelming support for investment in the much-loved community facility.

The consultation, carried out independently during May and June 2026, gathered views from customers, user groups and local residents. It found that 91% of respondents support investment in the centre, while 95% recognise it as an important community asset. 

Taking this feedback into account, Edinburgh Leisure and the City of Edinburgh Council will now move forward with the next stage of design development. The design team will use the consultation findings to finalise a design for approval, with a focus on improving facilities while protecting the character, heritage and community value of the iconic building.

A design shaped by the community

The next phase of the project will focus on developing a design that reflects what customers said matters most. This includes considering:

  • How changing facilities can be upgraded to better meet customer needs
  • Improvements to layout, cleanliness, accessibility and family provision
  • The importance of retaining the building’s unique character, including its natural light and sea views

The consultation findings will now be reviewed in detail by the design team as they develop the final design for approval.

Moving into the next phase

The project will now move into further design development and approval stages, with updated designs and visuals shared with the public once the design has been progressed.

Subject to final approvals, the next steps will include:

  • Finalising a design for approval and securing the necessary consents
  • Appointing contractors
  • Confirming timelines for refurbishment works 

Edinburgh Leisure has also committed to providing regular updates throughout the project, with 95% of consultation respondents stating they wanted to be kept informed as plans progress.

Supporting customers through change

The consultation highlighted that temporary closure of the centre is the biggest concern for customers, with more than 80% indicating they would be affected by any period of closure.

Edinburgh Leisure will develop a comprehensive customer support plan ahead of the refurbishment, including access to alternative facilities, swim lesson arrangements and flexible membership options to minimise disruption wherever possible.

A long-term investment in Portobello

The refurbishment aims to ensure Portobello Swim Centre continues to serve the community for generations to come, improving the quality of facilities while maintaining the character and heritage that make it one of Edinburgh’s most valued leisure venues.

Claire Rusack, Operations Director at Edinburgh Leisure, said: “We would like to thank everyone who took part in the consultation and shared their views.

“The message from the community was clear – people strongly support investment in Portobello Swim Centre, but they also want to protect the features that make it such a special place.

“The design team will now use that feedback to finalise a design for approval. This will ensure the next stage focuses on improving changing facilities, accessibility and the overall customer experience, while taking account of the natural light, sea views and heritage character that customers told us they value most. 

“Portobello Swim Centre is one of Edinburgh’s most iconic leisure facilities and this investment will help safeguard its future, ensuring it continues to support active, healthy communities for many years to come.”

A City of Edinburgh Council spokesperson said: “Portobello Swim Centre is an important part of Edinburgh’s sporting and cultural heritage, and we welcome the high level of public interest in shaping its future.

“The consultation has provided clear and valuable feedback which will help inform the next stage of design development.

“We’re committed to working closely with our partners and the local community to breathe new life into this much-loved landmark space in a way that protects the building’s historic character while creating modern, high-quality facilities for future generations.”

Community invited to help shape the future of Portobello Swim Centre

The City of Edinburgh Council and Edinburgh Leisure are inviting local residents, customers, and community groups to take part in a public consultation on proposals to redevelop Portobello Swim Centre, one of Edinburgh’s most distinctive and well‑loved heritage buildings.

The consultation will give the public an opportunity to comment on proposed improvements to the Category A listed facility, including internal reconfiguration to improve layouts, accessibility, and customer experience, while protecting key heritage features such as the pools and Turkish Baths.

Feedback from the consultation will help inform the final design and investment decisions for the centre.

Since the initial draft designs were first shared through the City of Edinburgh Council tender portal, the project team has been developing the proposals further. The City of Edinburgh Council and Edinburgh Leisure are excited to showcase how the designs have evolved in response to early feedback from local clubs and customers, ensuring community voices are helping to shape what comes next.

The proposals also include new, much‑needed public toilets with access from outside the centre, helping local residents and visitors enjoy Portobello beach and promenade with better comfort and convenience.

As part of the consultation, a series of community drop‑in sessions will be held at Portobello Town Hall, giving people the chance to view the proposals, ask questions of the project team and share their views in person.

These sessions will take place on the following dates:

  • Tuesday 26 May: 10am – 12pm and 6pm – 8pm
  • Monday 1 June: 10am – 12pm and 6pm – 8pm

An online survey will also be available for those who prefer to provide feedback digitally.

The proposal, being delivered in partnership between the City of Edinburgh Council and Edinburgh Leisure, is intended to support the long-term future of Portobello Swim Centre and the communities it serves.

Any future refurbishment would require a temporary closure of the centre while major works are carried out, and the consultation will also explore how any impact on customers and community groups could be managed.

Margaret Graham, Culture and Communities Convener of City of Edinburgh Council, said: “Portobello Swim Centre is a much‑loved local landmark and an important community asset.

“This consultation is a vital opportunity for residents, users and local groups to help shape proposals that balance the building’s historic character with the need for modern, accessible facilities.”

Jen Holland, Chief Executive of Edinburgh Leisure, said: “We know how important Portobello Swim Centre is to its community.

“We’re committed to listening carefully to feedback through this consultation and ensuring that any future changes reflect what matters most to customers, clubs, and local residents, while securing the long‑term sustainability of this unique facility.”

Details of the consultation, and how to take part in the online survey, will be shared on the Edinburgh Leisure website and at Portobello Swim Centre in the coming weeks.

Edinburgh kids benefit from vital lessons to support national cause

YOUNG SWIMMERS in Portobello have received a day of vital water safety lessons alongside an Olympic medallist to mark Drowning Prevention Week.

Former Olympian Stephen Milne made a star appearance during a Learn to Swim event held at Portobello Swim Centre, which delivered water safety lessons to 77 children as part of the awareness week.

Nine swim classes were delivered across the day by local swim teachers and the Olympic swimmer, teaching crucial water safety skills, from floating techniques to the Water Safety Code. The event helped build on Learn to Swim’s foundations of creating ‘Generation Swim’ – a generation of safe, competent and confident swimmers.

Portobello Swim Centre, part of Edinburgh Leisure, is one of more than 160 pools in Scotland to offer Learn to Swim lessons as part of a National Framework made possible through a partnership between Scottish Swimming and Scottish Water.

Stephen Milne said: “No one should ever have to feel unsafe or uncomfortable in water, that’s why days like these are so important to reinforce the importance of water safety.

“One reason why Learn to Swim events like this are so important is to energise young swimmers to continue to learn and improve what is a vital life skill.

“It’s always a thrill getting back in the pool but particularly when it can leave a real impact on future generations.”

Stephen won a silver medal at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Brazil and has 5 Commonwealth Games medals having competed in three separate Commonwealth Games since 2014. He is also a world and European champion.

Following the lessons, Stephen hosted a captivating Q&A session to engage with all attendees. To commemorate the day, he presented aspiring swimmers with autographed swim caps and t-shirts, leaving a lasting impression with budding swim stars.

Kate Cramb, Operations Manager at Edinburgh Leisure said: “To host such a meaningful event is a real honour. Water safety is such a huge issue especially during the summer months when families start to spend more time near water – so these vital lessons genuinely do save lives.

“It was also great to welcome an Olympic star in Stephen, who was brilliant in reinforcing the importance of learning to swim to kids, all the while keeping it really fun and uplifting.”

The event marked the end of Drowning Prevention Week, in which more than 75,000 children were offered vital water safety lessons through the Learn to Swim National Framework across the span of the week.

Euan Lowe, CEO of Scottish Swimming, said: “Swimming lessons are the absolute foundations to ensuring water safety.

“To have Stephen’s presence and active involvement in them made for an unforgettable experience for the children which will hopefully inspire them to continue their safe swimming journey.

“Drowning is far too common in Scotland, and it is something that we are committed to addressing as a partnership. The event in Portobello allowed us to do that in an engaging way with children.”

Brian Lironi, Director of Corporate Affairs with Scottish Water, added: “We are thrilled with the tremendous success of the water safety event, which undoubtedly left a lasting impact on all participants.

“It is so important to see the next generation of confident swimmers engaging in water safety. Drowning prevention is a topic that needs serious attention all year round but the awareness week gave us another opportunity to reinforce lifesaving skills.”

Drowning Prevention Week, organised by the Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS), stands as one of the largest water safety campaigns in the UK and Ireland, specifically targeting the summer season. Its primary goal is to equip individuals with the necessary skills and knowledge to make informed decisions regarding water safety, particularly during the summer months.

Learn to Swim is a National Framework committed to creating supportive and quality environments in which children can learn to swim regardless of their age, ability, or skill level. It aims to develop competent swimmers, as well as encouraging youngsters to adopt a healthy and fulfilling lifestyle with sport and fun at its heart.

For more information on the Learn to Swim programme, visit: 

https://learntoswim.scot/

Deaf-friendly swim sessions this Saturday

Following the success of their deaf friendly swim lessons last year, Edinburgh Leisure is having their first ‘Deaf Friendly Swimming Open Day’ this Saturday (28 January) from 1.30-3.30pm with a view to attracting new participants and offering classes for pre-schoolers, where the parent/carer is present in the water with them and older children with a hearing impairment.

The Open Day, funded by Deaf Action, a local authority for deaf young people, will be held at Portobello Swim Centre. Free 30 minute sessions will be available, led by specialised swim coaches, who have been trained in adapting activities for deaf children and adults.

Booking is essential and requests should be sent to laurafallen@edinburghleisure.co.uk