Residents say the facility, which has been shut since 2023 following the discovery of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) in the building’s structure, was important to the community’s health and well being and was used by The Whitehill Swimming Club before its closure.
The Save Whitehill Pool campaign, which was launched after the facility shut, has continued to fight for the pool’s re-opening, as has residents and members of Living Rent.
Image of Living Rent Dennistoun from last night’s meeting (Image: Supplied)
Laura Baillie, a member of Living Rent Dennistoun and local resident, said: “I can see my community falling apart because of the lack of places where we can go out and be together, especially at an affordable price.
“Whitehill Pool is the third community space that has been closed in the past few years. The people of the East End deserve so much better than we’re getting from Glasgow City Council.
“Swimming pools and gyms are important spaces for local people, for our health but also for community cohesion. I’ve felt my own health and wellbeing suffer from not having access to the pool. The council must prioritise Whitehill Pool, as well as the public transport people need to get to other community spaces while our pool is closed.”
Inês Marcos, a member of Living Rent Dennistoun and local resident, added: “I’ve been knocking on doors with other members of our union and we hear the same concerns time and time again: less money in people’s pockets and fewer facilities for health and wellbeing, the closure of Whitehill Pool, soaring housing costs and parking charges, and the closure of the Alexandra Park Sports hub.
“People feel shut out of decisions that directly affect our lives, and we are angry that we have lost so much community space and are being pushed out of our neighbourhood.”
Image of Living Rent Dennistoun at last night’s meeting (Image: Supplied)
On April 23, members of tenants’ and community union Living Rent alongside Dennistoun residents confronted councillors over the failure to include Whitehill Pool in the council’s 2026/2027 budget.
It comes after residents and members of Living Rent previously marched to the City Chambers on budget day to demand the re-opening of Whitehill Pool in January 2026.
We previously reported that the revenue budget for the pool was reallocated to other services.
The budget stated: “This is not a permanent withdrawal of support for Whitehill Pool.
“Officers continue to work on a viable plan for opening and once this is presented and approved the full revenue budget will be returned to Whitehill Pool to support its reopening and ongoing operation.”
Image from Living Rent Dennistoun meeting (Image: Supplied)
Reflecting on last nights meeting, Stella Rooney, Living Rent Glasgow chair and Dennistoun resident, said: “Last night’s meeting was a powerful example of local people coming together to demand better from politicians.
“We welcome commitments from councillors to do everything they can to re-open Whitehill Pool, support implementing rent control areas, taxing second homes at a higher rate, using some of the tourist tax funding on transport, and to continue to engage with our union on local issues.
“People are still frustrated that it is taking so long to start the work on Whitehill Pool, and we heard last night from residents who feel that previous promises, such as providing better transport links to access other pools, have been broken.
“All too often, politicians ask people to accept decisions under the pretext that there are no alternatives, and that cuts, delays, rising costs, and watered-down promises are simply the way things are. We reject this.
“We will now be watching carefully to ensure that our local councillors stick to their commitments.”
