THE team behind a project to restore Govanhill Baths to its former glory is celebrating after scooping £1.2m in lottery funding.

The renovation project, which was launched more than 10 years, was one of five landmarks to get a share of £7m of Heritage Lottery Funding yesterday when the Govanhill Community Baths Trust (GCBT) team was awarded a First Round pass for the £1.2m.

An HLF spokesman described the building as a "landmark" and "integral to the social history of Govanhill."

He said the restoration will see the ladies and learners pools re-opened, together with a Turkish suite.

The former steamie will be turned into a theatre venue and community events and arts space.

The GCBT team hope to have the restored building open by 2019 and has finalised a three-stage scheme that should be open four years from now.

Chairman Andrew Johnson said: "Our plans for the building are a comprehensive response to constant calls from the local authority, the government and the local community for better health facilities in the area.

"But our plans also include regenerating the baths for the wider Govanhill community, creating local economic growth, employment opportunities, crime prevention, educational development, arts opportunities and - with the return of swimming - fitness and health."

The future plans for Govanhill Baths, designed by Nord Architecture, should, funding allowing, be completed by 2019.

Phase 1, which began in 2013 and will be fully finished in 2016, includes the refurbishment and opening of the front suite of the building, which was unveiled in 2012.

It will also see the reopening of the ladies and toddlers/ training pools with an arts space, room for gardening and a roof garden.

The original steamie will be partially turned into an event hall and there will be a Turkish suite and sauna, gym and healthy eating café.

Phase 2 is planned for 2016 and 2017 to include the full development of the steamie as an events and community space.

Then, in 2018 and 2019, the main pool should be open to complete Phase 3. However, the future of the Baths hangs on funding with requests for £1.2million from the Heritage Lottery Fund and £400,000 from Historic Scotland currently under way.

The lottery funding targeted heritage and restoration projects. Dame Seona Reid, chair of HLF's Scotland committee, said: "Heritage is firmly at the centre of shaping and improving local quality of life.

"In practical terms, heritage projects can provide training and education, encourage tourism and kick-start regeneration, but heritage is also important in emotional terms.

"Research shows that investing in heritage can make people happier about where they live, and enhance their sense of identity. Towns and communities across Scotland are realising that far from being a dead hand on development and regeneration, heritage can be the catalyst that encourages both."

Other projects to receive grants included the Davidson Cottage Hospital in Girvan, South Ayrshire.