A PHOTO from the Bournemouth Echo’s archives of the former swimming pool at the BIC has sparked some happy memories for readers.
Yesterday we featured an image of the pool as our picture of the day both in print online and dozens of people have been sharing their fond memories of it.
One person said: “A FANTASTIC childhood memory, went every Sunday before a roast dinner and homework, so glad I grew up in the world without technology.”
Someone else said: “I loved the water started very low and gradually got deeper. And the wave machine was the best part EVER. I miss it, I wish they would bring it back."
Another person added: “This was an amazing swimming pool, which I have many memories of. The sound of the horn before the waves machine was about to begin was very exciting making sure ur in the best spot to be hit by the waves.”
The swimming pool opened at the venue in Bournemouth town centre in 1984.
The pool, with its artificial wave, was popular with both locals and tourists. And in 1986, Olympic swimmer Duncan Goodhew was open its new hydro-slide.
However, bosses of the BIC, which was being used for events including the Labour conference in 1999, needed more exhibition space to compete with other big new conference centres.
In 2003, a campaign under the slogan ‘Save the Wave’ was launched in a bid to save the pool.
Read more: The story behind Bournemouth's lost swimming baths
By 2004, a £22million upgrade of the BIC was under way. It meant a much bigger Windsor Hall, allowing for major tours by singing stars and comedians. And there was the extra exhibition space, with the Solent Hall standing where the pool had once been.
Read more: Bournemouth's Pier Approach in pictures: from the Victorian era to the Imax to the present day
It was the first time since the mid-Victorian era the general public would have no indoor swimming attraction in the town centre.
Other former swimming pools in the town centre included the Pier Approach baths which opened in 1838 where aqua shows were performed to delighted crowds before they closed in 1984.
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