The open air swimming pool at Roundhay Park was at the southern tip of Waterloo Lake, near the dam, and opened in June 1907 at a cost of cost £1,657. It was built by the unemployed as part of a public works project and boasted stepped sides, a springboard, changing huts and a children's paddling pool. The pool was chlorinated - there was a filtration hut nearby - but never heated and was notoriously chilly. It was initially popular, but fell into decline and disrepair until 1937, when it was restored and rejuvenated. By the 1950s and 60s, it attracted around 100,000 visitors every summer. The pool's usage declined again, and by the late 1980s it had shut and the area was later cleared - although remnants of the structure were visible until the early 2000s. The photos are a mix from the YEP archive and others published courtesy of photographic archive Leodis, which is run by Leeds Library & Information Service. READ MORE: Photos capture Roundhay Park frozen in time LOVE LEEDS? LOVE NOSTALGIA? Join Leeds Retro on facebook
1. Roundhay Park open air pool
The entrance to bathing pool on Wetherby Road pictured in November 1924. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
2. Roundhay Park open air pool
The pool was drained in June 1907. Workmen can be seen to the side of pool working on changing rooms. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
3. Roundhay Park open air pool
Changing cubicles visible on the right, bathers and onlookers can be seen in July 1907. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
4. Roundhay Park open air pool
A huge crowd of people queuing for the bathing pool on Whit Monday in 1944. As a bank holiday it was an opportunity for families to get out and enjoy themselves away from the troubles of wartime. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
5. Roundhay Park open air pool
The open-air bathing pool packed full with people on the occasion of the Whit Monday Bank Holiday in May 1944. PIC: Leeds Parks and Countryside Photo: Leeds Parks and Countryside
