I learned how to swim in the beautiful old Victorian Arnold Baths on Front Street in the seventies, and a few years later it was demolished to be replaced by Arnold Leisure Centre further up the road.
There can be fewer more depressing buildings in the area, and it is indicative of the sad decline in architecture in Arnold over the last half century. It's very sad to think that the characterless Wilkos now stands where its predecessor stood, and the ugly monstrosity of the Leisure Centre has gone without any necessary refurbishment, until it has reached the state where it's badly in need of being pulled down and replacing with better facilities.
The pools (one for adults, one for children) are fine, and always clean. And the staff are always very friendly, as are the familiar ladies and gents who attend the pool every day for their swim regime (or, more likely, a long natter at the shallow end).
But the changing facilities are badly in need of an upgrade. I'm sure the staff try and keep them as clean as possible, but they never feel it.
I haven't used the adjacent theatre and library facilities for many many years, so I can't really judge them.
But Arnold needs better than this. Somewhere of cutting edge design that would help lift the area, with not only a swimming pool but a gym as well. I still enjoy my swim there when I visit the area, but it's in spite of the surroundings rather than because of. read more