Published: 23/04/2020 By Mark Nicholson
Who learnt to swim here?Over the three decades, it was open- it must be thousands of us! The old leisure centre opened in 1976 and although not the most attractive piece of architecture in town it had an awful lot to offer, other than the swimming facilities it had a gym, upstairs cafe with a pool view, bar, 2 sports halls and 3 squash courts!
The new Harron Homes now sit on what was the car park, as a boy I remember the windy path that led up to what seemed a really steep hill leading to the entrance doors.
Please share with us your memories of this great facility and enjoy these never seen before photos!
We have been blessed over the years with baths in Retford, the current leisure centre is a fantastic facility operated by BPL, I have taken my son to his swimming lessons there this afternoon & regularly use the gym.
The Retfordians of yesteryear also enjoyed swimming baths, the original baths were on Albert Road, opposite Victoria Road which in 1895 were opened- 3 years after the bridge was built over the river to accommodate pedestrians to and from the railway station. That building still stands today and is home to the Retford Squash Club.
