The Launceston Leisure and Aquatic Centre is an impressive metal and glass structure on Windmill Hill overlooking the city; however, it wasn't always like the building you see now.
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The council had approved the site in February 1945 for a Community and Cultural Centre, with the aim of the Launceston Community and Cultural Centre Association to "transform the famous Windmill Hill into an up-to-date community centre, with its combination of educational, recreational and cultural activities centred in one or more buildings, surrounded by indoor and outdoor facilities in grounds of natural beauty."
Later in 1945 it was suggested by the RSL that this location would be perfect for a War Memorial and the council then decided it would also be the perfect location for new baths; although Royal Park and Cornwall Square had also been considered.
It was proposed that the site of the Victoria Baths be sold to the Technical College to partially fund them.
The unveiling of the foundation stone for the Launceston War Memorial Community Centre took place on September 10, 1946, yet nothing appeared to be happening towards the erection of the new baths.
Delays occurred for both plans, and instead of a large community complex being built, a Memorial Hall was proposed.
This is the hall that still stands on Windmill Hill today behind the Aquatic Centre. Work was eventually completed with the hall officially opened on February 17, 1954.
The original design for a completely roofed swimming centre was proving costly and the builder, Mr Martin, was asked to requote for a scaled back version in 1954.
Not everyone was keen on building a new pool it would seem; in 1950 Alderman Thyne proposed building a pool at the Cataract Quarry rather than at Windmill Hill.
This was voted against with councillors saying it would only be able to be used a couple of months of the year whereas the Windmill Hill pool could be used all year round.
In 1954 the Royal Life Saving Society condemned the City Council for the state of the Basin Pool, which was unfiltered, claiming "It is a cesspool in midsummer" and that they should fix that before considering building a new pool.
Despite opposition the new baths were eventually built and officially opened on October 4, 1957, 12 years after first being approved.
Launceston eventually got its cultural centre when the baths were renovated and reopened in 2009.
It's a modern complex with pools, gymnasiums and café, costing over $26 million and not without drama.