Old paddling pool site on the Promenade.

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 14 Dec 2004, 17:57

Back to the Paddling Pool site. The new, down-scaled plan to clear the site and grass it over was one of the items on the agenda at today's Portobello Working Group meeting.

We are told that this will now require a new planning application and further consultancy work to come up with a new design, to include an element of 'public art'.

How about an exhibition of all the artist's impressions, presentations, illustrative drawings, concepts, feasibility studies and other assorted plans for Portobello that never saw the light of day? Where did the money go? Ask a consultant.

Epykat · Post by **Epykat** » 14 Dec 2004, 22:44

Bob Jefferson wrote: We are told that this will now require a new planning application and further consultancy work to come up with a new design, to include an element of 'public art'.

I'm sure a few POL members and a night at the Dalriada could come up with something sketched on the back of an envelope in no time

Just another Council stalling tactic while they decide what kind of flats to build on it.

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 31 Jan 2005, 18:09

From Maureen Child's most recent newsletter:

A consultant landscape architect has been appointed to take the project through to final completion. I understand the Council has appointed Marte McGlynn. Coincidentally, Marte grew up in Portobello and sometimes plays music with friends down here. They were playing for the PCATS Burn's Supper - the Baguettes. Marte tells me she's very excited about working on this project with the immediate neighbours and those involved with me in our original community consultation process. We've protected the site form development and will be brining it back into community use, although I suspect we'll have to find somewhere else for serious basketball and skateboarding facilities. We're working on it.

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 28 Apr 2005, 18:46

From today's EN:

Plug pulled on promenade's forlorn pool

mr magnolia · Post by **mr magnolia** » 28 Apr 2005, 21:26

Fantastic.

Is there a coffee shop too?

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 28 Apr 2005, 21:29

There was a coffee kiosk in the original plan, but I think that was ditched when further grant funding was not forthcoming.

Epykat · Post by **Epykat** » 28 Apr 2005, 23:12

Bob Jefferson wrote:There was a coffee kiosk in the original plan, but I think that was ditched when further grant funding was not forthcoming.

How much more funding do they need???? I still think Ã‚Â£116,000 is a ridiculous amount of money to do what they're proposing to do. In comparison just think what could be done in PHS playground for that kind of money

Gemini · Post by **Gemini** » 29 Apr 2005, 07:44

Epykat>
How much more funding do they need???? I still think Ã‚Â£116,000 is a ridiculous amount of money to do what they're proposing to do. In comparison just think what could be done in PHS playground for that kind of money <

Couldn't agree more

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 30 Apr 2005, 18:56

Latest on this subject from Maureen's report to the CC:

Portobello Paddling Pool Site
I understand the meeting with Marta McGlynn, the landscape architect went well and that a final design has been approved by local residents. I still expect the site to be brought back into public use this year and am hopeful we can get the coade stone pillars incorporated in future too. We have not given up on further developing facilities for young people who want to play basketball, skateboard and just get together, outdoors and in.

mr magnolia · Post by **mr magnolia** » 30 Apr 2005, 21:16

Gemini wrote:Epykat>
How much more funding do they need???? I still think Ã‚Â£116,000 is a ridiculous amount of money to do what they're proposing to do. In comparison just think what could be done in PHS playground for that kind of money <

Couldn't agree more

The Paddling pool site is about 1300m2.

A budget of Ã‚Â£116,000 (even assuming that excludes fees and planning costs etc) works out at about Ã‚Â£89/m2. In my book that puts it on the quality side of cheap.

Full-blown urban streetscape works with natural materials cost between Ã‚Â£450 and Ã‚Â£800 per m2, and a new estate road will cost you about Ã‚Â£160/m2.

If you cost out a bit of patio with some natural stone slabs for your back yard, that'll cost you about Ã‚Â£125/m2

You may not like these prices but that's what things cost...

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 30 Apr 2005, 21:48

And consider yourself fortunate that you're not being charged a consultancy fee for that information. That's probably about five grand's worth!

Epykat · Post by **Epykat** » 01 May 2005, 23:40

Bob Jefferson wrote:The new, down-scaled plan to clear the site and grass it over.

A digger, a man and some grass seeds? Ã‚Â£116,000?

mr magnolia · Post by **mr magnolia** » 02 May 2005, 20:32

Epykat wrote:
Bob Jefferson wrote:The new, down-scaled plan to clear the site and grass it over.

I haven't seen the plans but thats not what the EN words said!

Epykat · Post by **Epykat** » 05 May 2005, 23:36

Can't believe everything you read in the papers

mr magnolia · Post by **mr magnolia** » 01 Jun 2005, 14:42

Anyone got a link to the plans, or know where to view them in real life?

They've disappeared from the library and noone knows to where...

Post by **wangi** » 01 Jun 2005, 15:15

The plans on the planning application are here:

http://citydev-portal.edinburgh.gov.uk/ ... G1LEWF1000
http://citydev-portal.edinburgh.gov.uk/ ... /04622/CEC

mr magnolia · Post by **mr magnolia** » 02 Jun 2005, 09:37

many thanks

rathbone · Post by **rathbone** » 04 Jun 2005, 12:50

I came across this yesterday and thought that it might be of interest:

The National Lottery launched a new fund on 3 June called The People's Millions. It will award grants up to Ã‚Â£50,000 to Community Groups who want to make their communities better places to live through environmental improvements.

The application deadline is 11 July.
Application Forms via the hotline: 0845 010 1112

Do the Community Council want to give it a go?

Brian McCrow · Post by **Brian McCrow** » 05 Jun 2005, 11:37

Wangi

I understand that the proposition has been reduced due to lack of funds. Thus there won't be a basketball court or a food kiosk.

Instead the site will be cleared and landscaped. There may be some seating but I also haven't seen the detailed plans. Seemingly these will have to go through Planning again and hence we will probably go another Summer with no change to the Paddling Pool.

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 05 Jun 2005, 17:38

Hope this will be of interest to some of you and that wangi is able to get some shots.

I am a mature student in my final year of a HND Public Art Course at Edinburgh's Telford College. As part of my course project I have looked at and research the history and use of the Paddling Pool Site, during my investigations I found out that the site is soon to be regenerated.

I believe, from meetings I have attended and from members of Edinburgh Council that demolition of the site, before works commence, will begin mid-June. I thought it would be good idea to create some interest in the site prior to the works beginning and that a way of doing this would be to realise my project idea.

I will be hanging a piece of "sail-cloth" type fabric from each of the existing 18 concrete upstands, two of the pieces of cloth will have something on them, the rest will be plain. The hangings are relevant to the history behind ,the name of Portobello, the sea and sailors. Natural materials are being used and I am funding this from my own monies.

I have always had a fondness for this site and remember it in use, as a child. This installation is temporary- for 3/4 days, as requested by Edinburgh Council. I hope this will create some interest for the area and people, whether they love or loath.

The installation will run to coinside with our Final Year Exhibition which is taking place at the Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop.

Thanks for your interest. Hope to see you on Tuesday around 10am. Pray for sunshine.

Linda Thompson

Post by **wangi** » 07 Jun 2005, 23:00

Some pictures of the work: http://www.pbase.com/wangi/portobello_paddling_pool Probably some more tomorrow at the "opening" (6pm - 8 pm)

Sandra · Post by **Sandra** » 07 Jun 2005, 23:08

Thanks for sharing that wangi - I thought someone had hung their washing out

BTW just seen the pictures only just seen what it is about - no offence intended!

Post by **wangi** » 07 Jun 2005, 23:14

I ken, my gran would have something to say about hanging a sheet out like that... Just look at the hole in it!!!

Epykat · Post by **Epykat** » 11 Jun 2005, 22:07

Please tell me we didn't pay for that

Spree · Post by **Spree** » 11 Jun 2005, 23:52

Linda Thompson's installation (funded by herself) made us think about days of sail and our historic link with Panama, Puerto Bello and Admiral Vernon. Thanks for reminding us of the past, Linda. Pity four days was all the time available.

Portobello needs imaginative people such as Linda. Appreciate the artistry, folk, don't knock it!

Brian McCrow · Post by **Brian McCrow** » 12 Jun 2005, 13:45

I also admire Linda's exhibition. She funded it herself and went and did it rather than sit around talking about putting art on to the Prom.

Top marks for initiative.

Big Things on the Beach should take note.

Perhaps we should encourage more young people to do similar events.

I attended a School Art display last week and was overwhelmed by the quality of the work from Primary up to 6th Form. Let's encourage them to display their work in Public places.

Epykat · Post by **Epykat** » 12 Jun 2005, 18:43

Spree wrote:Linda Thompson's installation (funded by herself) made us think about days of sail and our historic link with Panama, Puerto Bello and Admiral Vernon. Thanks for reminding us of the past, Linda. Pity four days was all the time available.

Portobello needs imaginative people such as Linda. Appreciate the artistry, folk, don't knock it!

As long as it was funded by the artist - fair enough

And I agree we do need imaginative people, however, it doesn't mean that I have to appreciate it if I don't like it!

mr magnolia · Post by **mr magnolia** » 29 Jun 2005, 21:30

I enjoyed Linda's installation - almost as good as being in Venice for the Bienialle. And I thought it would do fine until the work started at the end of June.

but it looks like no show just now?

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 29 Jun 2005, 21:33

Work on the community garden is due to start on 11 July and be complete by 16 September. I believe the Community Council agreed to make a small grant to Linda retrospectively for her installation.

mr magnolia · Post by **mr magnolia** » 01 Jul 2005, 11:07

faberoonie!

Spree · Post by **Spree** » 02 Jul 2005, 00:36

Glad to learn Linda is getting some encouragement. She deserves it. Just seems a pity the installation didn't have a longer life - especially since nothing is happening on site until the 11th. A lot more people could have had the chance to see it. We look forward to other ideas for the Prom.

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 02 Jul 2005, 10:40

I am grateful to Spree for the following photographs. The first is from the late 60s.

ecm · Post by **ecm** » 02 Jul 2005, 12:33

Bob Jefferson wrote:

Great pic. But is that child doing a Paula Radcliffe by any chance.

Spree · Post by **Spree** » 03 Jul 2005, 12:56

Funny one, ecm! We did ask him today why the strange stance - looking for luckies maybe? He was a great finder as a child. Odd that he can't recall, but it was a few years back right enough.

Brian McCrow · Post by **Brian McCrow** » 03 Jul 2005, 15:55

I know it's too late but I like the enclosed walls. I wonder why we didn't just repair the stanchions and put up glass sections.

Talk Porty ~ Portobello

Old paddling pool site on the Promenade.

Installation at old Paddling Pool

Re: Installation at old Paddling Pool

Paddling Pool site

Old Paddling Pool