Discover the haunting beauty of the abandoned Beach Leisure Centre in Aberdeen.
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The Beach Leisure Centre in Aberdeen has long been a cherished destination for families and sports enthusiasts alike. For decades, it served as a hub of activity, offering a variety of recreational facilities, including swimming pools, gyms, and flumes. However, after its closure in 2022 due to budget cuts amounting to £700,000, the once-vibrant centre now stands silent, awaiting demolition in early 2025.
This article delves into the recent exploration of this abandoned site by a group of urban explorers, providing a unique glimpse into its current state.
Recently, the urban exploration group Urbandoned ventured into the Beach Leisure Centre, capturing its haunting beauty in a video that has garnered over 25,000 views on YouTube. The explorers, known for documenting abandoned locations across the UK, approached their visit with a commitment to preserving the integrity of the site.
Alistair, a member of the team, emphasized their philosophy: “We never break in or damage an abandoned location, and to leave them as if we were never there.” This respectful approach allowed them to film the centre’s interiors without causing any harm.
The video showcases various areas of the Beach Leisure Centre, revealing the stark contrast between its former vibrancy and its current desolation. The swimming pool, once filled with laughter and splashes, now lies drained and fenced off. The changing rooms, stripped of lockers, echo the memories of families who frequented the facility. The gym, a vast empty space, and the reception area, now reduced to a lonely phone and clipboard, serve as reminders of the centre’s bustling past.
Despite its dilapidated state, many interiors remain reminiscent of the lively atmosphere that once filled the centre. Bright colors, artificial foliage, and sunlight streaming through the glass roof evoke nostalgia for those who remember the facility in its prime. The explorers also ventured down one of the centre’s iconic flumes, The Tube, which has remained closed since the pandemic due to safety concerns. Alistair remarked on the bittersweet experience: “Walking down the waterslides was pretty fun, however, it was pretty tragic to see another swimming baths without any water.”
The closure of the Beach Leisure Centre reflects a broader trend affecting community buildings across Scotland, particularly in the wake of the pandemic. With the cost of necessary repairs estimated at £50 million, including £16 million for essential updates alone, the future of such facilities remains uncertain. As urban explorers continue to document these sites, they highlight the importance of preserving memories and advocating for the revitalization of community spaces.
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