BATHS FOR WOOLSTON

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30393, 18 March 1964, Page 9

BATHS FOR WOOLSTON

Replacement Planned New swimming baths for Woolston were planned, Mr A. McHugh, chairman of the baths committee of the Woolston District Improvement Association told the annual meeting of the association.

Mr McHugh said it was proposed to build a pool 110 ft long and 3ft to 4ft 6in deep, a diving pool, a paddling pool, a filtration plant, changing rooms, and a heating system. He Said the project would cost about £BOOO, of which the Christchurch City Council had promised £5OO as a gift and £lOOO as a loan.

“In the early 1900’s Woolston had a strong community spirit, and the residents built themselves the baths,” said Mr H. W. Dear, president of the association. “The baths have now deteriorated and Woolston is in exactly the same position as it was 60 years ago,” he said.

Mr Dear said the association hoped that the City Council, which owned the baths, would make them over to the association. He said it was proposed to set up a trust to run the baths in conjunction with the Woolston School Committee.

“Zoning is the biggest threat to Woolston’s future,” said Mr Dear. “Far too much Woolston land is zoned as rural when it could be residential or commercial.” Councillor W. E. Olds said that the zoning decisions did not come up for review until 1967 and there was not much that could be done in the meantime. Mr Dear said the membership, after 10 months, was 150 and he emphasised the need to increase the numbers in the association. He said the biggest achievement of the last year was the acquisition of £260 worth of decorations for Ferry road.

Officers elected were:— President, Mr H. W. Dear; vice-president, Mr C. Thomas; secretary, Mrs H. R. White; treasurer, Mr R. A. Clarke; committee, Messrs J. McMullen, A. McHugh, S. Falkingham, J. Andersen, J. Andrews, A. A. Glendinning, A. Davies, G. McGerty, N. Stewart, B. Nottingham, and R. H. Gearry.