“HOPELESSLY INADEQUATE”

Evening Star, Issue 19839, 12 April 1928, Page 5

“HOPELESSLY INADEQUATE”

MUNGiPAL TEPID BATHS SWIMMERS’ SUGGESTIONS “Hopelessly inadequate and out of repair,” stated a gentleman who is prominent in swimming circles when approached by a ‘ Star ’ reporter today for his opinion of the_ facilities offered to tho Dunedin public by the present Municipal Tepid Swimming Baths. For .some time past the suggestion has been growing that the present baths are out of date and inadequate for the needs of an increasing swimming public, and. following proposals made by the local Swimming Centre, the City Council has had under consideration the question of extending the present baths, the idea being to build a new pool adjacent to tho present site for use either as a. learners’ or a. ladies’ pool. The gentleman referred to, along with other clnso followers of swimming locally who were approached _on the matter, is strongly of the opinion that the proposed site is not suitable. It would mean retaining the present hath, with its lack of modern conveniences and appointments, and anyone paying a visit to tho present building is soon able to observe the very had state of repair it is in. The woodwork of tho roof has seriously deteriorated, and it would cost a good deal of money to put it into good repair. Tho concrete floors are badly broken, and the water leaks through to tho floor below. Tho opinion was expressed that if the sale of the present building could be arranged, tho proceeds would go a long way towards the purchase of a new site. Tho town is growing, and business men consider tho present site too valuable for baths. It is so central that one business man has escim-i±ed the worth of tho present site at £20,000. Swimming enthusiasts consider that if new baths arc to be erected they should bo fitted up along more modern lines. Half-measures should not bo adopted, for swimming is growing in popularity every year. Tho present baths are fifteen years old, and oven when they were first occupied it was found that they word not suitable so far as accommodation for carnivals was concerned. Even now that the old Turkish baths rooms are used as dressing rooms, the accommodation is still inadequate for the crowds that have to he handled. Tho entrance and office appointments are far from imposing, and the general opinion among swimmers secms_ to be that consideration should be given to the proposal to erect up-to-date baths on a new site.