CENTENNIAL COMMEMORATION.

Evening Star, Issue 23175, 26 January 1939, Page 17

CENTENNIAL COMMEMORATION.

TO TUB EDITOR. , Sir, —It is surprising to me, when the question of a suitable memorial for Dunedin has been discussed at puolie meetings and through the columns of the Press, that much more prominence has not been given to the desirability of having constructed in tne heart of the city—there are quite a few sites of a suitable nature—a modern swimming pool, which, as a centennial memorial, could bo built with an eye both to the amenities and to the utilitarian aspect. , It has frequently been stressed that Dunedin is better equipped in the matter of parks and playing areas than almost anv other city in the Dominion, but on the other hand comment is frequently made of the lack of swimming facilities here to cope with the needs ot both the youth and adult section ot the community. Mention has been made more, than once of the excellent work being done in Dunedin in the instruction, especially of children, in swimming by various organisations under grave difficulties of lack of pool accommodation, and bearing in mind the stress laid more than once by the Minister of internal Affairs (Hon. W. E. Parry) on the importance of everyone being taught to swim, the time seems opportune when those citizens of Dunedin who have at heart the interests of the young people should get together and arouse interest in the need for a modern pool to meet the demands of modern Dunedin. Some smaller centres in the Dominion have already decided to construct swimming pools as their centennial memorials, and what better memorial could be found than one which has as its aim the development of the physical well-being of our race? Coming down to the purely materialaspect. I have it on good authority that it would cost £I,OOO a year to maintain a centennial park, a proposal which already seems doomed to failure. It may he pointed out that the upkeep of a swimming pool would show a loss, but with improved accommodation this would be greatly reduced surely, if not wiped out altogether. And the needs of our growing youth, the citizens of to-morrow, are surely to be placed far beyond the bounds of ordinary financial considerations. While many sections of the sporting community have been well catered for in Dunedin, until comparatively recently the swimming organisations have been more or less neglected, and yet they perforin a work that is of a community value and of a really noble nature. I trust that some abler pen than mine will take up the cudgels on behalf of what should appeal to many as the right type of centennial memorial—a modern and properly equipped new swimming pool for Dunedin.—l am, etc., Physical Fitness. January 26.