City Baths on William Street reopening in Derry next week

Key user groups, community organisations and local schools have over recent weeks been given a preview and an opportunity to attend the William Street baths, which were closed back in 2020 during the pandemic.

The preview in December allowed for a limited number of sessions and services ahead of the full reopening on Monday.

The building, first built in 1959, has been a stalwart in the history of the city and a popular leisure facility for generations of families. With people from Derry and the surrounding areas of Donegal and the wider North West all travelling to learn to swim there.

Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Patricia Logue, said the baths were very close to her heart, having lived close to it all her life.

She said that the ‘soft opening’ allowed key user groups to give their feedback on the facilities ahead of all the programming and activities.

Mayor Logue said: “ This is first and foremost a community facility that is used and loved by all ages. It is the heart of the community and to see its doors open again is good news for everyone.

“I am delighted to see the essential maintenance and health and safety works as well as some cosmetic works, have been completed.

“This marks a significant investment by the Council and marks its commitment not only to leisure provision here in the City but also its objective to promote health and well-being across the entire Council area by making facilities and programmes available.”

The baths will open fully to the public from 10am to 9pm from Monday to Friday, from 10am to 4pm on Saturdays and closed on a Sunday, from January 8.

Director of Health and Community for the Council, Karen McFarland, said leisure prices across this Council area are the cheapest in comparison to other Councils, to encourage as many people as possible to get involved in sports and well-being programmes.

She said: “We are delighted to be working with our key partners City of Derry Swimming Club to recommence their popular swimming schedule of training and are excited to be welcoming back all of our regular users again.

“We will be actively promoting the leisure offering at the City Baths to the local community to get as many new individuals as possible, families and user groups to join up.”

Andrew Balfour,

Local Democracy Reporter