THE SWIMMING BATHS.

Feilding Star, 23 December 1908, Page 2

THE SWIMMING BATHS.

DESCRIPTION OF THE BUILDING.

TO BE FINISHED AT END OF FEBRUARY. Mr T. Collins, the successful tenderer for the borough swimming baths, having signed the contract for the work, a start is to be made as soon as the holidays are over. A description of the baths as they will stand when completed will no doubt be acceptable to those who have waited bo long for this very necessary equipment to the town. The baths are to be situated on the section in Man-chester-street between the firebell and the Makino stream. The frontage will be 88 feet back from the footpath, the idea being to allow of shops or offices being erected in the front part of the section. It will be generally admitted that the site is a good one, being about as central as could be got. Of the big bath itself, the dimensions are 80 feet by 39 feet, and the depth of water will vary from 3 feet to 8 feet, the deepest part being about 10 feet at the diving board end. Situated about 6 feet from the end of the wall in the shallow part will be a barrier, as a guard for children and learners. Round the whole bath will be a hand rail just above the level of the water, and ladders will be placed at intervals from the platform to the water. At the deep end there are to be two spring diving boards, one" eight feet high and the other about eighteen inches above the water. For the purpose of keeping the water clean) an overflow pipe, level with the water, will draw away the surface water, and of course there will be a continual flow from the town water service, by which the bath will be supplied. Right on the bottom of the bath a large pipe is" to be placed, which- will be used for drawing the whole of the water from the bath. On the right of the entrance, which is by folding doors, is to be a room for the caretaker,' fitted' with shelves for trunks, towels, eto.,. ancl on the left the ladies' waiting room, leading to another room '■ fitted with plunge hath, lavatories, etc., and provided with seating accommodation. Then,on the left-hand side of the big bath there are to be twen-ty-two small dressing boxes, and one large one for children. Two of the dressing rooms will contain shower baths. On the opposite side of the bath a fence eight feet high will protect the bathers from the wind. There will, of course, be no roof to the bath. All the floors will be of concrete, and the whole building will cover a space'of 121 feet by 67 feet.. Everything is to be carried out on first-class lines, and the sewerage is specially complete. Mr Collins informed our representative yesterday that the baths will be finished by the end of February.