Campaigners fighting to restore a north-east landmark to its former glory say the building is in better condition than anticipated with many of its Art Deco features still intact.
Bon Accord Heritage raised £10,000 in pledges in a matter of weeks for its drive to re-open the former Bon Accord Baths, which were closed by Aberdeen City Council in 2008.
The group was recently given access to view the site and was heartened to find much of the interior damage appears “superficial”.
Now Bon Accord Heritage has hired chartered surveyors DM Hall to carry out a full structural and integrity survey using donated funds.
This should allow the group to agree a ballpark figure for the restoration.
John Law is head of facilities and management for the organisation.
He said members had looked south to places such as Glasgow’s Western Baths for inspiration on how to breathe new life into Aberdeen’s architectural gem. Mr Law said: “We were expecting it to be a lot worse than it is.
“A lot of damage is quite superficial. In places it looks pretty bad.
“There is paint coming off and kids have obviously come in and smashed toilet blocks and ripped out some of the wooden seats.
“They have also set a fire on the tiles in the pool – but I think a lot of it can be dealt with.
“You go upstairs and it is all in incredibly good nick.
“There is some lovely old wood panelling up there, most of it in good order.
“There is beautiful wooden panelling around the foyer as well, and it is all in fantastic condition.”
The group is now hoping to persuade the council to allow it access to the foyer and corridor areas of the building to help with fundraising efforts and stir up nostalgic memories.
The Bon Accord Baths first opened to the public in 1940 but was closed during council cutbacks.
The local authority put the building on the open market in January through selling agents, Shepherds.
More than 15 interested parties have now viewed the premises and Mr Law said he would fight any attempt to set a closing date for offers before Bon Accord Heritage has a chance to survey the building and create a business plan.
A local authority spokeswoman said: “No closing date has been set yet.
“Interested parties were allowed access to the Bon Accord Baths to carry out surveying work.”