TEPID BATHS

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 147, 19 December 1933, Page 12

TEPID BATHS

FEATURES OF SCHEME

POOL AND APPOINTMENTS

ADAPTING THE BUILDING

When discussing the possibility of proceeding with a tepid salt water bath scheme for Wellington, City Councillors had before them last Thursday night a report from the City Engineer and general plans and elevations prepared by the department after consultation between the engineer and the Director of Parks and Reserves, showing how the old electric lighting powerhouse may j be adapted for baths purposes. Commenting upon the general scheme the City Engineer stated that upon investigation it was found that of tho. existing buildings the old generatqrroom was not sufficiently wide to house the pool, and the old boiler-house was too dilapidated to be used, and, further, that the existing steel columns supporting the roof would require to be removed to make room for the pool. Tho scheme submitted provided for the housing of th§ dressing-rooms, conveniences, staff-rooms, laundry, filter-house, boiler-house, and coal store in the old generator-room, and the swimming pool in a new room adjoining. The pool would be lOOft4qng by 40ft wide, the depth of water varying from flft to 3ft. The floor and walls would be lined with white glazed tiles, the swimming lines being picked out in green. A continuous scum trough would, run along each side for the full length of the pool. The approaches would be surfaced with red floor tiles, ribbed to form a non-slip surface. Dressing accommodation was provided for 100 adults in cubicles, and for boys and girls in two open rooms. WATER FOR THE BATHS. ■ It is proposed to utilise filtered and ivarmed sea water in the pool drawn from the harbour by means of existing pipes which are believed to be in good condition, with the exception that they will require cleaning. These pipes were used for the supply and discharge of. water for cooling purposes in connection with the turbo-generators of the old power-house. The scheme also includes the provision of nine slipper baths on the Old switchboard gallery, to be ' supplied with hot and cold fresh water. 'Each bath will bo complete with * shower, dressing cubicle, aiutl the usual fittings. Advantages had been taken in the deaign of the scheme to strengthen the existing building against earthquake forces, the engineer continued. The design of the facade fronting Mercer Street'would be revised, tho high, parapets would be removed, the roof hipped, and the windows and door openings reduced in size. The walls between the o-ld boiler house and generator room would be strengthened by means of structural steel columns and cross walls. Without a total reconstruction of the bu,ilding, a complete earthquake resisting design could not bo introduced, but the proposals put forward should supply ■ a large measure of resistance, as there were no relatively heavy masses above ground level and the height, of tho buildings was approximately a third of their1 width. COST OF THE SCHEME. . The estimates of cost of the various main features of the baths are stated as • follows:—Swimming pool, boiler house, filter room, coal store, laundry, dressing rooms, cubicles, conveniences, offices, fittings, etc (buildings), £15,180; boilers, filters, laundry equipment, machinery, including heating plant for buildings, £4400; slipper baths, if installed at same time as above, £1540; total complete, £21,120.