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The Thompson Centre
Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2021 12:23 pm
by BFCmaj
My youngest daughter is off to St Peter's today with school for her swimming lesson. It reminded me of my swimming lessons at the Thompson Centre when I was her age. I loved going there with the big pool, the baby pool and seeing the diving pool, which never seemed to get used. I also did Judo, Badminton, Trampolining and went to Clouds disco with my pals on a Saturday night. We were very lucky to have all that in one place and I was sad to see it go.
Re: The Thompson Centre
Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2021 12:32 pm
by Froobs
Clouds disco
Re: The Thompson Centre
Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2021 12:44 pm
by giveusaB
Film about the planning and construction of the centre.Sound is a bit hit & miss but some great footage.
https://youtu.be/E1O14gewJbs
Re: The Thompson Centre
Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2021 1:14 pm
by PadihamThickNeck
Reminds me of my childhood, looking up at that big diving board was so scary. I wonder how high it actually was ?
Also remember Pat the instructor/lifeguard with the scars/burns on his face, nice guy.
Re: The Thompson Centre
Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2021 1:19 pm
by BFCmaj
Excellent stuff. Thanks for that.
Re: The Thompson Centre
Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2021 1:20 pm
by Burnley1989
Froobs wrote: ↑Wed Sep 08, 2021 12:32 pm
Clouds disco
Class!
Was the pub called the tim bobbin as well?
Had a crèche for the kids
Re: The Thompson Centre
Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2021 1:22 pm
by Blatherwickstattoo
Worked there about 2 years before moving to Padiham leisure centre (for another 12). Brilliant place.
Someone mentioned Pat above too. Top guy. Spent a lot of time skiving In the staff room with him.
Re: The Thompson Centre
Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2021 1:28 pm
by Terrier
Could not beat gannow baths!
Re: The Thompson Centre
Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2021 1:29 pm
by ClaretMov
I went to North Street baths in Burnley when I was learning to swim, many moon's ago
Re: The Thompson Centre
Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2021 1:30 pm
by Herts Clarets
PadihamThickNeck wrote: ↑Wed Sep 08, 2021 1:14 pm
Reminds me of my childhood, looking up at that big diving board was so scary. I wonder how high it actually was ?
Also remember Pat the instructor/lifeguard with the scars/burns on his face, nice guy.
5 metres I think. Last time i went in the Thompson Centre was the CM v CLC 5 a side game when the rugby world cup final in Australia was on.
Re: The Thompson Centre
Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2021 1:43 pm
by ClaretMov
Re: The Thompson Centre
Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2021 1:46 pm
by ClaretTony
Central Baths behind the town hall for me when I was at primary school and then Gannow when I was at senior school. Last time I was in Gannow Baths it was a church so I reckon they must have been OK for baptisms with the main pool still there.
Thompson Centre was brilliant, something many bigger towns couldn't match. Opened in 1974.
Re: The Thompson Centre
Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2021 1:54 pm
by BFCmaj
ClaretTony wrote: ↑Wed Sep 08, 2021 1:46 pm
Central Baths behind the town hall for me when I was at primary school and then Gannow when I was at senior school. Last time I was in Gannow Baths it was a church so I reckon they must have been OK for baptisms with the main pool still there.
Thompson Centre was brilliant, something many bigger towns couldn't match. Opened in 1974.
It was built the year I was born and Knocked down the year my eldest was born.
Re: The Thompson Centre
Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2021 1:56 pm
by ClaretTony
BFCmaj wrote: ↑Wed Sep 08, 2021 1:54 pm
It was built the year I was born and Knocked down the year my eldest was born.
How long has it been gone now? The only date I do know, roughly, is my GP moved into the new St. Peter's Centre in 2006 or 2007.
Re: The Thompson Centre
Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2021 1:59 pm
by BFCmaj
ClaretTony wrote: ↑Wed Sep 08, 2021 1:56 pm
How long has it been gone now? The only date I do know, roughly, is my GP moved into the new St. Peter's Centre in 2006 or 2007.
It was 2006 although it doesn't feel that long ago.
Re: The Thompson Centre
Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2021 2:02 pm
by Burnley1989
I think the wall mural is still down crow wood
Re: The Thompson Centre
Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2021 2:18 pm
by Awayfromburnley
That diving board was actually 320 feet high.
Well that is what it felt like when I belly flopped it whilst trying to impress a fine lady.
She laughed and left......
Re: The Thompson Centre
Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2021 2:26 pm
by BFCmaj
If I remember rightly, the big pool was shallow at both ends and deep in the middle.
Re: The Thompson Centre
Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2021 2:29 pm
by Froobs
The indoor footie left you with some nasty burns if you fell
Re: The Thompson Centre
Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2021 2:30 pm
by kazza
They knocked a leisure centre down to build a car park, and knocked a car park down to build a leisure centre.
Re: The Thompson Centre
Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2021 2:36 pm
by yTib
had some happy times in there as a kid.
it was invaluable to us during the school holidays.
that sweaty smell in the squash courts though...
Re: The Thompson Centre
Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2021 2:40 pm
by claretonthecoast1882
Froobs wrote: ↑Wed Sep 08, 2021 12:32 pm
Clouds disco
No clouds disco was complete without Nick the doorman
Re: The Thompson Centre
Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2021 2:42 pm
by gawthorpe_view
Central Baths for school swimming lessons for me.
30+ of us walking from Stoneyholme juniors, snaking through town and back with one teacher at the front and another bringing up the rear slapping stragglers about the head.
Happy days, not!
Re: The Thompson Centre
Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2021 3:11 pm
by LeadBelly
Central baths for me too, not too far a walk from Healey Wood school. Used to be issued with a towel which was really rough- also had lumps of soap in the showers cut from big blocks (either red Lifebuoy of buff Sunlight). I think 1d for the hair dryer (not that I ever used one).
I'd left Burnley by the time the Thompson Centre opened but managed a few swims/racket games there on visits. Very nice pool for a swimming session.
Re: The Thompson Centre
Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2021 3:15 pm
by PadihamThickNeck
Blatherwickstattoo wrote: ↑Wed Sep 08, 2021 1:22 pm
Worked there about 2 years before moving to Padiham leisure centre (for another 12). Brilliant place.
Someone mentioned Pat above too. Top guy. Spent a lot of time skiving In the staff room with him.
Your not PB are you ?
Re: The Thompson Centre
Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2021 3:19 pm
by Froobs
Re: The Thompson Centre
Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2021 3:32 pm
by jedi_master
Loved the Thompson Centre.
Used to go swimming with my Mum and Dad there loads as a kid, even though we lived in Todmorden. I remember playing football, it was called something Clarets the club I was in there, no idea what specifically. Basic football skills and matches in the indoor bit. John Mullin and Wayne Dowell came once in about 1993 at a guess and I was starstruck
Re: The Thompson Centre
Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2021 3:43 pm
by Dazzler
Very fond memory's of the thommy centre.
Football, Badminton & Swimming
Gained all my swimming badges at the thommy centre as a young lad; Bronze, Silver, Gold & Honours.
Once got thrown out, my girlfriend & I got a little bit too amorous in the pool.
Re: The Thompson Centre
Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2021 3:45 pm
by Billy Balfour
ClaretMov wrote: ↑Wed Sep 08, 2021 1:43 pm
Just found an old pic online of North Street baths, then come across this old pic of how they used to teach kids to swin in a lake if no baths were nearby, the kids of today don't know how lucky they are
They weren't teaching those kids to swim. Those kids were witches.
Re: The Thompson Centre
Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2021 3:54 pm
by Staniola
The WTRC also hosted the best 5 a Side leagues in the area on Wednesday nights. All the lads who played in it still say they miss it to this day.
Re: The Thompson Centre
Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2021 4:04 pm
by PadihamThickNeck
Staniola wrote: ↑Wed Sep 08, 2021 3:54 pm
The WTRC also hosted the best 5 a Side leagues in the area on Wednesday nights. All the lads who played in it still say they miss it to this day.
Remember playing against Santas Pizzas
Think I was about 14
Re: The Thompson Centre
Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2021 4:09 pm
by Boss Hogg
Remember going to a party at the Thompson Centre as a child. The fixed diving board did look intimidating as at Padiham. The photos in black and wait at the top of the thread look like something from the former Eastern Bloc.
Re: The Thompson Centre
Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2021 4:19 pm
by yTib
i worked at in a warehouse in swindon some twenty-odd years ago and one of the team leaders used to work at the thommy centre. i seem to remember he was a lifeguard but i might be wrong.
anyone remember the young chap who worked there with a big scar on his neck? he would tell us young 'uns that a vampire got him.
Re: The Thompson Centre
Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2021 4:21 pm
by Blatherwickstattoo
Might be …..
Re: The Thompson Centre
Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2021 4:22 pm
by Blatherwickstattoo
Froobs wrote: ↑Wed Sep 08, 2021 3:19 pm
Postman pat?
The worst and least funny insult any postie can get
Froobs? Guessing a healywooder
Re: The Thompson Centre
Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2021 4:53 pm
by Froobs
Blatherwickstattoo wrote: ↑Wed Sep 08, 2021 4:22 pm
The worst and least funny insult any postie can get
Froobs? Guessing a healywooder
Chucky pad ring any bells
Re: The Thompson Centre
Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2021 5:08 pm
by IB52
ClaretMov wrote: ↑Wed Sep 08, 2021 1:43 pm
Just found an old pic online of North Street baths, then come across this old pic of how they used to teach kids to swin in a lake if no baths were nearby, the kids of today don't know how lucky they are lol
Screenshot_20210908-133631_Gallery.jpg
I remember being a member of the Swimming Club at North Street and one evening queuing to go in heard the news of JFK shooting in 63! Sad to see the building go but no way up to modern standards.
Re: The Thompson Centre
Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2021 5:14 pm
by Blatherwickstattoo
Froobs wrote: ↑Wed Sep 08, 2021 4:53 pm
Chucky pad ring any bells
Yeah
Re: The Thompson Centre
Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2021 5:22 pm
by giveusaB
Mainly used central baths as a kid but also went to north st and gannow.Also went to padiham baths which was modern compared to those and also the open air pool at Nelson.Was that it for local swimming baths ?
Re: The Thompson Centre
Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2021 5:26 pm
by Foulthrow
Who was Thompson? It wasn’t in honour of Les was it?
Re: The Thompson Centre
Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2021 5:43 pm
by Froobs
Would any of the above enter a swimming pool now?
Re: The Thompson Centre
Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2021 6:05 pm
by Sean Dyche's Watch
kazza wrote: ↑Wed Sep 08, 2021 2:30 pm
They knocked a leisure centre down to build a car park, and knocked a car park down to build a leisure centre.
So predictable. Every conversation about the Thompson Centre includes this line, usually from someone trying to be witty, who doesn't understand, or chooses not to understand, the real reasons.
The Thompson Centre was full of asbestos and dangerous. The St Peters multi storey car park was crumbling and also dangerous.
Re: The Thompson Centre
Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2021 6:14 pm
by yTib
Sean Dyche's Watch wrote: ↑Wed Sep 08, 2021 6:05 pm
So predictable. Every conversation about the Thompson Centre includes this line, usually from someone trying to be witty, who doesn't understand, or chooses not to understand, the real reasons.
The Thompson Centre was full of asbestos and dangerous. The St Peters multi storey car park was crumbling and also dangerous.
and the overreaction of the year goes to....
Re: The Thompson Centre
Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2021 6:16 pm
by GodIsADeeJay81
ClaretMov wrote: ↑Wed Sep 08, 2021 1:43 pm
Just found an old pic online of North Street baths, then come across this old pic of how they used to teach kids to swin in a lake if no baths were nearby, the kids of today don't know how lucky they are lol
Screenshot_20210908-133631_Gallery.jpg
Did they get a prize if they managed to hook a kid??
Re: The Thompson Centre
Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2021 6:29 pm
by kazza
Re: The Thompson Centre
Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2021 6:46 pm
by bfcjg
Loved the Thompson centre five a side then swimming, it was a fine building it seemed massive as well.
Re: The Thompson Centre
Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2021 7:19 pm
by Blatherwickstattoo
Sean Dyche's Watch wrote: ↑Wed Sep 08, 2021 6:05 pm
So predictable. Every conversation about the Thompson Centre includes this line, usually from someone trying to be witty, who doesn't understand, or chooses not to understand, the real reasons.
The Thompson Centre was full of asbestos and dangerous. The St Peters multi storey car park was crumbling and also dangerous.
Funny that… st peters is built on sinking land and is falling apart already.
Should have just built where it was. We hated St. Peter’s when it was built. Thompson centre was far far better and catered to more sports
Re: The Thompson Centre
Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2021 7:26 pm
by BurnleyFC
The Thompson Centre was a fantastic facility in its time.
Pat taught myself and my eldest son to swim and has only very recently retired. Top man.
Re: The Thompson Centre
Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2021 8:25 pm
by Local cricketer
Diving in the deep end in your pyjamas to rescue a brick
Re: The Thompson Centre
Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2021 8:43 pm
by yTib
Local cricketer wrote: ↑Wed Sep 08, 2021 8:25 pm
Diving in the deep end in your pyjamas to rescue a brick
yeah i remember that brick. black and rubber coated.
