A behind-the-scenes look at a swimming pool in Grimsby that opened in 1962 and was popular until its closure in 2015.
Visited June 2016 Grimsby, North East Linconshire, UK Closed
The Grimsby Swimming Pool, know locally as Scartho Baths and usually pronounced “Scaffa Baffs” opened in 1962. The size of the pool was 110ft by 42ft with a depth range from 3ft to 6.5ft. The deepest section was in the centre, with a shallow end at each end of the pool. A barrier towards one end divided the pool into two – a 25m (half Olympic) area with 6 lanes, and a smaller area used for swimming lessons and specialist activities. To one side of the pool there was a 12.5ft deep diving bay which provided a springboard and a 3m high firm diving board. There also used to be 5m high platform, but this was removed many years ago. A large spectator area could seat 618 people.
Grimsby Swimming Pool – External in 2011 (By steveparrottphotography.com used under CC licence)In 2008 a review was commissioned to examine the current and future usage of swimming facilities in the Grimsby area including both Scartho Baths and the pool at the nearby Grimsby Leisure Centre. The review recommended a rationalisation/replacement programme including the delivery of a single new facility with sufficient swimming pool capacity. A further survey of the condition of all leisure facilities was also carried out and this confirmed the high levels of expenditure required to replace essential plant and equipment at the end of its useful life, and to also maintain buildings over the next 5-10 years. As a result, a new swimming facility was built in Grimsby and Scartho Baths closed in December 2015.
The Swimming Pool
Scartho Baths Swimming Pool, Grimsby – The pool and viewing areaScartho Baths Swimming Pool, Grimsby – Pool with divider at one end
Scartho Baths – View from spectators seating
Scartho Baths – View from diving board
Scartho Baths Swimming Pool, Grimsby – Diving boardScartho Baths Swimming Pool, Grimsby – Lane marker rope in the pool
The place became Scaffolding Baths for a while too…
Scartho Baths Swimming Pool, Grimsby – Float and scaffolding in the pool
Scartho Baths – Lots of scaffolding
Scartho Baths – Shallow end
Scartho Baths Swimming Pool, Grimsby – The swimming pool during early demolition works
Changing rooms and public areas
Scartho Baths Swimming Pool, Grimsby – Changing room
Scartho Baths – Changing room
Scartho Baths – Showers
Scartho Baths Swimming Pool, Grimsby – Main entrance
Scartho Baths – Activity advice centre
Scartho Baths – Reception area
Scartho Baths – Stairway to viewing area
Scartho Baths – Gymnasium
Plant Room and Behind-the-Scenes Areas
The plant room is where the water is pumped around, cleaned, heated and chlorine controlled. A tunnel extends from the plant room all the way around the outside of the pool, allowing access for servicing of the pipes that carry water to and from the pool.
Scartho Baths Swimming Pool, Grimsby – Pool control roomScartho Baths Swimming Pool, Grimsby – Ceiling void above pool
Scartho Baths – Distribution boards above ceiling
Scartho Baths – Filters in plant room
Scartho Baths Swimming Pool, Grimsby – Filters, half filled with sand to keep the water cleanScartho Baths Swimming Pool, Grimsby – Water treatment pipes and gauges
Scartho Baths – Temperature gauges
Scartho Baths – Valves and pipes
Scartho Baths Swimming Pool, Grimsby – The nine gas boilers that heated the pool waterScartho Baths Swimming Pool, Grimsby – One of the service tunnels that runs around the swimming pool
I learnt to swim here in 1970 i was in the dolphins for boys my sister in the mermaids for girls,then political correctness destroyed it but good years
I spent many a happy hour here and taught many children to swim there. And it was always the best feeling in the world to be the first one in the pool diving into to middle and then watching it all ripple outwards
I was the Grimsby Telegraph reporter who covered the opening of the Scartho Road Swimming Pool. I sat alongside Anita Lonsborough, the British Olympic gold medallist. She had a huge stopwatch because she was recording competitors’ times during the opening games. A long time ago! – Peter Hopper
Grimsby, North East Linconshire, UK Closed 
Very sad.
So sad to see her like this…many great years working there!
I learnt to swim here in 1970 i was in the dolphins for boys my sister in the mermaids for girls,then political correctness destroyed it but good years
I hate change,socalled progress
Was the wall across the pool an addition as I used the pool as a kid and can’t for the life of me remember it being there !
so sad to see it like this,I am amazed as they always said when they empty it the tiles would pop off doesn’t look like that happenedx
it was a boom to make it 25mts
I spent many a happy hour here and taught many children to swim there. And it was always the best feeling in the world to be the first one in the pool diving into to middle and then watching it all ripple outwards
I was the Grimsby Telegraph reporter who covered the opening of the Scartho Road Swimming Pool. I sat alongside Anita Lonsborough, the British Olympic gold medallist. She had a huge stopwatch because she was recording competitors’ times during the opening games. A long time ago! – Peter Hopper
interesting. My dad was a plasterer who worked on the baths when it was first built