UNIVERSITY students were among the first to get a look behind-the-scenes at the £5m restoration work happening at Newcastle City Pool and Turkish Baths. A group of sport management students from Northumbria University were invited to take a tour of the Grade II listed building, and get a first-hand insight into the redevelopment process. The pool and Turkish baths – which originally opened in November 1928 – will be given a new lease of life following the refurbishment by registered charity Fusion Lifestyle. The visit formed part of a wider programme of engagement between Fusion and the University. Michael Wood, senior lecturer at Northumbria University, said: “We’ll be using the City Pool project as a case study to enhance teaching, looking at what it takes to complete projects like this and scoping opportunities to undertake research to help drive its success. “I learnt to swim properly in that building in my mid-thirties, discovering a real love for swimming so it has a real place in my heart and I’m pleased it’s coming back to life.” Michael added: “The building has a great history and story, for it to be lost to other pursuits would have been a huge shame.”
