makes a splash

By the early 2000s, the pool had become a study area for arts students and temporary home to an overfowing law library.

“We had to be very careful about where we put the bookshelves since there was still a massive hole in the ground,” said Emily Allbon, Associate Professor and former librarian at City.

Most recently, with the “massive hole” buried under the foorboards, the area has been used as a research space for PhD students. And now, rows of compartmentalised desks, booths, and couches offer a quiet working and conferencing space for journalism students. The old changing rooms for swimmers, however, have been retained and now function as small study spaces.

Like City faculty, Ms Brinkhurst-Cuff sees immense value in a common space for journalism students spending any time in the College Building.

“The people I met on my course have been amazing people to know throughout my time in the industry and extending that to a wider pool of people is really important,” she said.

“The thing about journalism is that you have to learn to pull yourself out of your comfort zone and have uncomfortable conversations with people you don’t know and starting at university is really good.”

According to City’s Executive Dean, Professor Anna Whitelock, the space will allow students and visiting creatives to “meet, think, and create”.

“We are a community and an inclusive and supportive place for ideas to spark, and connections to be made,” said Professor Whitelock. “We look forward to spoken-word performances, comedy, music as well as even more opportunities to stretch and relax with movement activities such as yoga.”