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New pop-up exhibition opens at the Commie as part of Edinburgh 900 celebrations
Edinburgh Leisure | Monday 7th October 2024 7:00am
Edinburgh Leisure launches new pop-up exhibition
As part of the Edinburgh 900 celebrations, Edinburgh Leisure, the largest sports and leisure facilities provider across the city has launched a new pop-up exhibition at the Royal Commonwealth Pool. Celebrating Edinburgh’s legacy of health and fitness, discover how Edinburgh Leisure inspires and supports active lifestyles across the city.
The ‘Your Health is for Life’ exhibition focuses on one of the ten themes of Edinburgh 900, ‘the City of Leisure’ through the lens of Edinburgh Leisure. It showcases the vital role Edinburgh Leisure has played in promoting active lifestyles for the past 26 years and generations before, and the history of pools in Edinburgh, including a 2005 film by Sitar Rose and Karen Chambers, ‘Liquid Paradise’, which captures the unique atmosphere of the Victorian Warrender Swim Centre.
The free exhibition can be viewed in the foyer and café area of the Royal Commonwealth Pool and complements the existing display which celebrated the Commie’s 50th anniversary in January 2020.
Launched on what was National Sporting Heritage Day on 30th September, as part of the celebrations, Edinburgh Leisure’s Active Communities in association with the Sporting Memories Foundation, hosted a free, one-off event at the Royal Commonwealth Pool themed around memories of the Commie pool and their five Victorian pools. Peter Heatly Jnr, son of diver Sir Peter Heatly ran the session, looking at his father's role in getting the Royal Commonwealth Pool built and lots of family photos.
It was a fun and friendly session to talk and reminisce with older sports fans over a cuppa.
Kerry Teakle, Project Lead for Edinburgh 900 at Edinburgh Leisure said:
“Timed perfectly to coincide with Sporting Heritage Day on 30th September, the new exhibition has received a wonderful reception from customers and has sparked conversations across multi generations about the rich heritage of Edinburgh Leisure's sporting estate. There is a memory book and we would encourage anyone with memories, however old or new, to share them as part of our celebrations.
“Our exhibition also highlights Edinburgh Leisure’s ongoing vision to make a positive difference to communities by creating opportunities for everyone in Edinburgh get active, stay active and achieve more.”
Edinburgh Leisure was awarded funding for the prestigious Edinburgh 900 celebrations, a landmark initiative commemorating the city’s rich history.
Edinburgh 900 represents almost a millennium of shared history, and the full programme examines how Edinburgh came to be over centuries, from commerce to conflict and from faith to finance. The programme will also celebrate Edinburgh in the present day and look ahead to its future ambitions and aspirations.
Edinburgh Leisure is a cornerstone of the city, with venues spread across Edinburgh. Our facilities include five historic Victorian Pools, the iconic Royal Commonwealth Pool, six stunning golf courses, the flagship tennis centre at Craiglockhart, the International Climbing Arena at Ratho and numerous community leisure centres and sports facilities.
Elements of the exhibition will tour to other Edinburgh Leisure venues in due course. Stay updated by following us on social media for more details.
For more information visit the official Edinburgh 900 website, hosted by Forever Edinburgh, the Council's destination and visitor attraction website.