As part of the Edinburgh 900 celebrations, Edinburgh Leisure, the largest sports and leisure facilities provider across the city will be launching a new pop-up exhibition on Monday 30 September at the Royal Commonwealth Pool. Celebrate Edinburgh’s legacy of health and fitness and discover how Edinburgh Leisure continues to inspire and support active lifestyles across the city.

The ‘Your Health is for Life’ exhibition will focus on one of the ten themes of Edinburgh 900, ‘the City of Leisure’ through the lens of Edinburgh Leisure. It will showcase 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 will complement the existing display which celebrated the Commie’s 50^th anniversary in January 2020.

On what is also National Sporting Heritage Day, as part of the celebrations, Edinburgh Leisure’s Active Communities in association with the Sporting Memories Foundation, will be hosting a free, one-off event at the Royal Commonwealth Pool themed around memories of the Commie pool and their five Victorian pools.

It will be a fun and friendly session to talk and reminisce with older sports fans over a cuppa. Taking place on Monday 30 September 2024 from 10.30 am – 12.00 noon in the Sir Peter Heatly Room at the Royal Commonwealth Pool, 21 Dalkeith Road, Edinburgh EH16 5BB, the event is open to anyone, including people living with dementia and their carers. Booking is not required but registering your interest to attend is recommended by emailing: samscott@edinburghleisure.co.uk.

 Kerry Teakle, Project Lead for Edinburgh 900 at Edinburgh Leisure said:

 “Timed perfectly to coincide with Sporting Heritage Day on 30^th September, we hope the new exhibition will spark conversations across multiple generations about the rich heritage across our sporting estate.

“The exhibition will also highlight 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 as part of the prestigious Edinburgh 900 celebrations, a landmark initiative commemorating the city’s rich history. They were one of the successful applicants to the civic and community funds.

Edinburgh 900 represents almost a millennium of shared history, and the full programme will examine 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. Their 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.

Following its debut, elements of the exhibition will tour to other Edinburgh Leisure venues. Stay updated by following them 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. 

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