The swimming baths on Balliol road opened in 1888 and for generations it was at the centre of recreational life in Bootle.
The baths closed in 1990 and most of the building was demolished to make way for a car park and sadly only the façade remains today. For over 100 years the baths served as an important community hub.
Photographs of Balliol baths were recently posted on the ECHO Facebook page where people were asked to share their stories of the old Victorian bathhouse. The photo's sparked nostalgic memories for those who were lucky enough to use them back in the day.
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Tommy Morgan said: "Great memories of going there as a kid every Sunday with my dad, then in school and with my mates during the summer holidays. Boss times."
Karren Berry said: "Oh the memories, I went here with my school, learnt to swim there but we also went every Friday night with the youth club I attended. Fifteen kids all travelled there in the back of a box van holding on for dear life." Christine Parkinson said: "Great memories of swimming club there in the 1960s. Mr. Tidman definitely put us through our strokes."
One commenter said: "I split my chin open in small pool jumping in and chinning my dad's head. Bovril and packet of crisps at the end of our swim from the vending machine happy times".
The baths which had many people come through its doors, even saw a world record broken there in 1906 during the National Long Plunge Championships. When Major W. Taylor glided an 82ft into the water to beat his previous record set in 1902.
For many people however, their favorite memory was the hot chocolate from the vending machine one person said: "It was a race to see who got dressed the quickest to be first in the queue for the hot chocolate at the machine." Another person commented: "I went home every week with sore eye but loved and there was a race to see who got dressed the quickest to be first in the queue for the hot chocolate."
Julie Stretton said: "The hot chocolate always tasted the best, and a chippy on the way home. Happy Days".
