Dollan Aqua Centre

For the price that I pay monthly, I can’t really argue with either the gym or the swimming pool. The equipment is kept clean and well maintained. My only gripe is that obviously as a public gym, all and sundry can come in and use it on a pay per use basis, which means you can sometimes get some real roasters using the machines. The staff however, are normally very helpful.
I don’t bother with the pool that much as there is often classes on the go or like this weekend, swimming galas where it’s shut to the public anyway! Having a South Lanarkshire pass allows me to use any swimming pool in the area but hey, I’m lazy and can’t be bothered driving away down to Blantyre (although they do have a great kids pool) or Strathaven.
Best times to go to the gym if you like the quiet experience like me is a Sunday morning or late at night, through the week.

I hadn’t been here in years, last time was when I was a youth leader taking the summer youth club on a day out to the swimming. My mum also said this is where she used to take me when I was a baby so my memory of what it looked like years ago is very much a blur.
When I entered it looked like a brand new centre but I heard it’d been recently done up and probably for the International Children’s Games (ICG) Lanarkshire 2011. This is why I ended up here to film the swimming competitons.
The staff where very helpful and the event was very well organised. I thought «how come they didnae use Blantyre Sports Centre?» but when you see the Dollan it’s understandable. It was able to cope with the many children involved and that was many. They had plenty of space for changing and they have lots of seats for spectators, it really felt like I was at the Olympics as it had the look and vibe.
They have a café in the foyer and I was looking for a room where I could upload my footage I had filmed and a kind member of staff offered me a studio. The studio looked like a dance/​fitness studio and was a good size and there was some children using it for storing their stuff. I thought it was just a swimming pool but looks like it has more. I think I’ll have to go again and I think I’ll go with my mum, bring back some memories for her but this time with her grown up baby.

This swimming pool has just opened again after being closed for well over a year for renovation. I took my boy along today to see the new place.
Well, if you’re expecting something special, don’t hold your breath, unless you’re swimming under the water. It’s really just had a lick of paint, and they’ve probably strengthened the big concrete supports too.
The two chutes are only open at the weekend so during the week you’ll have to check what times the pool is open as they shut it at certain times for swimming clubs and lesson classes.
One new thing that I did notice is the big pool divider. They can shut a big gate half way along the pool to make it into two half pools. That’s it I’m afraid.
We’ve decided that we are still going to go down to the Aqua centre in Hamilton. It’s just much more interesting and fun.