Arches Leisure Centre
Trafalgar Road, SE10
The Arches are not, I confess, somewhere I frequent on a regular basis. Every so often I make a bit of effort and go for a week or so then somehow sink among the waves of apathy.
It's nothing to do with the facilities. They're really not bad at all. Built in 1928, the place has two pools, originally, would you believe, 'First' and 'Second' class. The 'First' class pool is what is now known as the 'Fitness' pool, roped into lanes of various abilities - from plodders to fitness freaks. Laning-off manages to avoid at least most of the problems, not least those pensioners who insist on doing widths, backstroke, across all the lanes, stopping suddenly for a chat with their mate just when you're trying to plod past in the opposite direction. It doesn't prevent the butterfly-stroke-show-offs, though, who plough past you in a fury of water sending everyone else flying in their wake.
But this isn't a post about pool etiquette, it's about the pool itself. What I love about it is the little individual cubicles running along each long side. They have swing doors, some with little modesty flaps in bright colours hanging from the top and are so cute, if rather battered now, that they just cannot survive any modernisation that may or may not (what do you think) that may go on. Neither, sadly, will the now-virtually-redundant stages that grace the ends of both pools. I like to think that they either drained the pools occasionally or covered them with a dance floor for balls and events and the stage was for bands. Of course it could be far more prosaic and the platform was just used for the Lady Mayoress, resplendent in giant picture hat and beaded dress to dole out the cups after swimming galas. It's painted with a jolly 1920s-style mural now and still has some of its original deco fittings.
Trivia - there is a scene at the pool in Camilla May's The Dead of Summer (see 'Books.')
The other (ex-'Second class') bath is now a 'leisure' pool - which at least separates the dive-bombing teenagers and toddlers who haven't yet quite managed bladder-control from the 'serious' swimmers. It has a very shallow end and little extra pools with fake sandcastles and rocks so that it can be easily cordoned off for classes and tinies. There seem to be a lot of classes of various descriptions. I have never seen anyone shooting down the curly slide, but that may have more to do with the fact that I don't frequent the pool enough than it's not being used.
There are two studios, one big, the other tiny, also used for classes. It is sometimes filled with squashy cushions for a creche. Right at the back there's a gym. It's not too full of scary muscle-men and not as intimidating as some I have been to. Plenty of baffling machines which, despite the fact that I once, Very Long Ago, had an induction, I can never remember how to use. I quite like the vibrating plate, but that's probably more information than you need. You can watch TV whilst you're on the bikes, but given the general standard of TV, both daytime and evening, you may choose to bring your own entertainment.
Uncertainty hangs like a sword of Damocles above the Arches roof. Given that rumblings and rumours of a new leisure centre at the Old District Hospital Site bubble under the surface and that the close proximity of The Arches to the centre of Greenwich makes it prime luxury-flat development potential, I don't hold out much hope for the place long-term. It's already looking tired round the edges (despite a refurb not so long ago in Local Council terms) but I don't see it ever being spruced up again. I don't know if it's listed (where can one find a list of listed buildings? I've searched and searched but at the moment if you're not an official you can only see a list in Swindon. I must check at the Heritage Centre...) but I reckon it is of 20th Century interest and I would hope that it wouldn't just be pulled down by developers. Surely they must be able to do something interesting with the existing building?
In the meanwhile, happy splashing...
The Arches are not, I confess, somewhere I frequent on a regular basis. Every so often I make a bit of effort and go for a week or so then somehow sink among the waves of apathy.
It's nothing to do with the facilities. They're really not bad at all. Built in 1928, the place has two pools, originally, would you believe, 'First' and 'Second' class. The 'First' class pool is what is now known as the 'Fitness' pool, roped into lanes of various abilities - from plodders to fitness freaks. Laning-off manages to avoid at least most of the problems, not least those pensioners who insist on doing widths, backstroke, across all the lanes, stopping suddenly for a chat with their mate just when you're trying to plod past in the opposite direction. It doesn't prevent the butterfly-stroke-show-offs, though, who plough past you in a fury of water sending everyone else flying in their wake.
But this isn't a post about pool etiquette, it's about the pool itself. What I love about it is the little individual cubicles running along each long side. They have swing doors, some with little modesty flaps in bright colours hanging from the top and are so cute, if rather battered now, that they just cannot survive any modernisation that may or may not (what do you think) that may go on. Neither, sadly, will the now-virtually-redundant stages that grace the ends of both pools. I like to think that they either drained the pools occasionally or covered them with a dance floor for balls and events and the stage was for bands. Of course it could be far more prosaic and the platform was just used for the Lady Mayoress, resplendent in giant picture hat and beaded dress to dole out the cups after swimming galas. It's painted with a jolly 1920s-style mural now and still has some of its original deco fittings.
Trivia - there is a scene at the pool in Camilla May's The Dead of Summer (see 'Books.')
The other (ex-'Second class') bath is now a 'leisure' pool - which at least separates the dive-bombing teenagers and toddlers who haven't yet quite managed bladder-control from the 'serious' swimmers. It has a very shallow end and little extra pools with fake sandcastles and rocks so that it can be easily cordoned off for classes and tinies. There seem to be a lot of classes of various descriptions. I have never seen anyone shooting down the curly slide, but that may have more to do with the fact that I don't frequent the pool enough than it's not being used.
There are two studios, one big, the other tiny, also used for classes. It is sometimes filled with squashy cushions for a creche. Right at the back there's a gym. It's not too full of scary muscle-men and not as intimidating as some I have been to. Plenty of baffling machines which, despite the fact that I once, Very Long Ago, had an induction, I can never remember how to use. I quite like the vibrating plate, but that's probably more information than you need. You can watch TV whilst you're on the bikes, but given the general standard of TV, both daytime and evening, you may choose to bring your own entertainment.
Uncertainty hangs like a sword of Damocles above the Arches roof. Given that rumblings and rumours of a new leisure centre at the Old District Hospital Site bubble under the surface and that the close proximity of The Arches to the centre of Greenwich makes it prime luxury-flat development potential, I don't hold out much hope for the place long-term. It's already looking tired round the edges (despite a refurb not so long ago in Local Council terms) but I don't see it ever being spruced up again. I don't know if it's listed (where can one find a list of listed buildings? I've searched and searched but at the moment if you're not an official you can only see a list in Swindon. I must check at the Heritage Centre...) but I reckon it is of 20th Century interest and I would hope that it wouldn't just be pulled down by developers. Surely they must be able to do something interesting with the existing building?
In the meanwhile, happy splashing...
Labels: Places of Interest, Things to do
posted by The Greenwich Phantom at
08:13
18 Comments:
We reluctantly rejoined a couple of years ago - I went for a swim once and I think my husband never even graced its doors. He didn't like the free and easy cubicle thing and I didn't like it enough to keep going. Its a beautiful old building but it really needs updating faithfully to the original - which isn't going to happen given Greenwich Council's track record is it?
Realistically, no. I really like the cubicles but - well - each to his own...
The leisure centre is not listed on the excellent www.imagesofengland.org.uk/ website. The site does not provide a comprehensive list of all listed buildings but is a great way to waste several hours.
Fantastic. Thanks Ged. I am always looking for methods of procrastination. Why do you think I write this blog instead of doing the proper work which is piling up around my ears... ;-)
I am a regular swimmer at the Arches (since the Wavelengths pool in Deptford is so grimly family-oriented and the water so DAMN HOT!). I love the cubicles - no need to mess about with lockers - and the single sex showers which mean you can actually strip and have a proper shower rather than washing in your cossie like so many 'changing villages' these days. Also the fact that they accommodate all comers - they have at least two blind swimmers who get a single lane roped off for them (not at the same time, I hasten to add!). One of whom has gold and silver medals from three paralympic games!
I could go on, but I'll spare you..
I forgot to mention the single sex showers. Yes. I daresay they'll go too. "Changing Village." What a bog-awful term. Who the hell thought that up, eh...
Arches is actually run by Greenwich Leisure Ltd - a social enterprise and therefore not solely driven by profit. Although it started by taking by over the leisure centres in Greenwich (hence the name) it now runs centres all over London. I seem to remember a programme on Radio 4's In Business series that discussed social enterprises with GLL's founders and how they took over running the centres for peppercorn rents.
I would love to take comfort from that. But sadly I suspect that if Greenwich Councl decide to flog off the building, GLL won't get much say in it.
Please tell me I'd be wrong?
I am a regular gym goer (or will be once I get my motivation back!) and it's not too bad, my only gripe being "Why does the sauna have to be single sex?" do they really think people are going to get up to nonsense?! As I normally go to the gym with my boyfriend we never use the sauna as one would have to sit outside and wait! Very daft. One recommendation would be the personal trainers they have there - worth every penny! Really encouraging, especially Judit who goes that extra mile - including responding to my late night texts of "can I eat honey" or other bizarre diet-related queries!
Lorna, how much does personal training cost per session?
It depends on who and how many sessions you book in one go! I pay £35 (cheaper as I booked 10 in one go) a session and generally have one every two weeks and I get a diet and programme to follow for that two weeks so it works quite well. I admit that it's quite expensive but I am a complete convert and would recommend it. I can give you my trainer's number if you like - she works with her boyfriend so you can pick a girl or guy trainer!
I would love a gym based in the centre of Greenwich though! Another of these wishful thoughts!
waaay back in the dark ages, bands used to rehearse in the basement of the swimming baths.
actually it wasn't as unsavoury as that might make you think.
it wasn't PLEASANT, don't get me wrong, but it could have been worse.
Well, we love it!
We have tinies and The Arches has been the centre of our lives for many years. When pregnant with my first I enjoyed ante-natal swimming classes with Sue who told us side-splitting stories about her troubles with builders. After swimming, we'd go have a chat with midwife Dorothy in the Studio about all of our anxieties. After that, we'd head across the street to much-missed Laura's for lunch. I didn't bother with NCT since I had a group already. Almost six years on, we're still getting together several times a month.
Both girls have been through swimming lessons with local treasure Mollie, who has taught most of the Borough's children to swim. Lianne does songtime on Tuesdays and Thursdays' Toddler's World where my girls practised their first steps, jumps and somersaults. She also runs a great beginner's aerobics class for when I'm tired of carrying around my accumulated baby weight.
I guess one could argue it's the people and not the Arches that have a hold on me, but without the Arches none of this could have happened. I'll always be a fan, even when the rest of the world has decamped to David Lloyd.
I am actuallly glad to hear that the sauna is single sex only and I hope it stays so! I am used to proper Finnish sauna, where you always sit naked as that is the purpose of sauna and gym saunas in Finland are always single sex because of nakedness. I regularly go to Archers but haven't tried the sauna yet, but will do so in future and without clothes.
Hmm, I do hope it is allowed in UK in single sex sauna.
Seems to me that if it's single sex then you really should be able to be naked without offending anyone. Personally I won't be checking it out - I have a mortal horror of saunas.
Andrekabu, I think it's fantastic that you're able to name all the people who run classes there. That's exactly the kind of community spirit that i love.
£35 is a bit steep for me at the moment, but I'll bear it in mind for the future.
Yes remember bands rehearsal area in basement plus i think pistol range and of course old sliper baths, "More hot in number 5 please". All brass and wood and fierce custodians.
zapata
The rifle range is still there and, rumour has it, there is a tunnel to the old hospital. I have been told the basement was used as a mortury but dont know how true that is! There are a couple of small pictures on the Greenwich Swimming Club website (about club then history)showing the second class pool as it was and the entrance hall.
It seems that Greenwich Council are planning on a pool like the one at Eltham. The second pool will go but hopefully they will agree to a small pool with a movable floor. Dont hold your breath though - they dont seem to learn by their mistakes!
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