Rival joins bid to bring back pool's glory days

Govanhill Baths protesters once faced Shettleston MSP Frank McAveety in court after angry clashes in Calder Street.

But now he has joined a committee set up by a charitable trust to find the estimated £7.5million to convert and refurbish the baths into a healthy living centre.

Mr McAveety said he had always backed plans for a community-run facility, but he admitted there had been strong disagreements about how the pool should be run after protesters rejected Glasgow City Council's decision to stop funding it.

The differences came to a head in 2001 when 300 police officers helped council workers break into the building to end a 141-day occupation.

That triggered rioting on South Side streets and years of friction between campaigners and politicians.

But today the MSP and former Sport Minister said there had been a lengthy "healing" process.

He said: "For the first time there is a plan that can really take off.

"There's a partnership between the baths trust, elected representatives and council officials to deliver something of real value to the community."

The MSP has already made a three-figure donation from an Edinburgh charity event to the campaign and is one of hundreds of people who have donated goods to the charity's shop in Calder Street. He joked: "Just look for the Armani suits.

"But really, the shop gives everyone a chance to help out."

Andrew Johnson, a spokesman for the Govanhill Baths Community Trust, said a new project committee was set up following a breakthrough meeting with council regeneration boss Steve Inch this month.

He said the council had also offered the help of an experienced official to run the group and help with technical problems facing the site.

The charity is working on funding applications to pay for almost a year of building work which could begin by 2010.

The charity is holding a public meeting in the Govanhill Neighbourhood Centre, Daisy Street, tonight at 7pm.