A popular leisure centre in the E of Glasgow, 3 miles / 5 km east southeast of the city centre, Tollcross International Swimming Centre represents a recreational and training facility for both the local community and elite athletes, as well as a venue for major international swimming competitions. Opened in 1997, in the southeastern corner of Tollcross Park, it was originally known as the East End Leisure Centre. It was built around an Olympic-sized swimming pool and diving facilities, with National Lottery funding. The facility now includes a ten-lane 50-m competition pool, a six-lane 50-m warm-up and training pool, and seating for 2000 spectators, together with an array of health, fitness and community facilities.
It was extended 2011-13 by Barr Construction in advance of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow at a cost of £13.8 million, funded by Glasgow City Council and sportscotland. This added a new 50-m warm-up and training pool, sports halls, a gym, which is one of the largest and best equipped in the city, and a new community wing to replace the fire-damaged Shettleston Burgh Halls. This community wing includes a public hall, function rooms, dance studio and dressing room.
Further improvements took place in 2016 at a cost of £6 million, involving the replacement of the roof, new mechanical and electrical equipment, together with internal fabric and structural repairs, all designed to ensure the venue continues to attract high profile national and international events.
Tollcross has hosted the 2013 Speedo Duel in the Pool, the swimming events at the Commonwealth Games of 2014, when the seating capacity was temporarily increased to 5000, the IPC Swimming World Championships (2015) and the 2018 European Aquatics Championships.
The Swimming Centre is home to the City of Glasgow Swim Team, and is managed by Glasgow Life on behalf of Glasgow City Council.
