Gold medalist to help open Ironmonger Row Baths' £16.5million makeover

Swimming superstar Ellie Simmonds will help celebrate the £16.5million transformation of Islington's much-loved Ironmonger Row Baths.

Ellie won two Gold medals for Great Britain in the London 2012 Paralympic Games, after winning two Golds at the 2008 Summer Paralympics in Beijing, aged just 13.

She will be guest of honour at a swimming gala celebration for local young people on November 16, to officially reopen the Baths after a huge refurbishment that includes:

full restoration of the main pool, with improved water circulation and healthier swimming environment

a new training pool with moveable floor, to improve access for learners and disabled people

work to make the 1930s building fully accessible and welcoming for disabled people

a new exercise studio, greatly enlarged gym and cardio zone

restoration of the historic Turkish Baths, and new expanded spa area

modern, expanded changing rooms for swimmers and gym-goers

careful refurbishment of the historic Grade II-listed building

new public laundry for local community

After the swimming gala celebration on November 16, the Baths will open for a week to community groups, including local schools, and other users.

Ironmonger Row Baths will then fully reopen to the general public for Saturday November 24, with a special weekend of community events.

Cllr Janet Burgess, Islington Council's executive member for health and wellbeing, said: "Ironmonger Row Baths has been at the heart of its community since it first opened, and has now been transformed into an incredible modern facility for residents. This includes making the Baths fully accessible and welcoming for disabled people.

"It's fantastic that Ellie Simmonds can join us for the reopening of the Baths, which are a lasting legacy of this Olympic year, and will help us continue in the spirit of the Games, to inspire a new generation."

The Baths will be operated by GLL, who have a strong track record of running sports and leisure centres with more than 60 sites, mostly in London.

Ironmonger Row Baths first opened as a washhouse for poor local residents in 1931, and the swimming pool and Turkish Baths were added in 1938.

After more than 70 years in service, the much-loved building was showing its age and in 2010 work began on major refurbishment, funded by Islington Council and the now-defunct EC1 New Deal for Communities.