GREAT ASSET.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume IV, Issue 160, 18 June 1936, Page 4

GREAT ASSET.

'NEW STRATFORD BATHS. !

Swimming Club Pleased With Plans. JBIG SEASON THIS SUMMER. i I "Such a bath would be a great scset to the Stratford Swimming Club," said Mr A. G. Petrie, secretary of the Stratford Swimming Club when asked by The Post toc'ay for his opinion of the plan cr.lected by the Stratford Borough Council on Tuesday night for a ; municipal bath.

The club had been severely handicapped, ho said, by the lack of proper swimming facilities. The only available bath was the primary School bath, which was really too narrow lor racing*wimming anl had no adequate provision for the accommodation of spectators. For the past three years the club had been investigating every possible raea2£ of obtaining a better bath, and if baths were built ixi Stratford in •accordance with the pirns selected by the Council they would be exceeding-

i ly well provTcled for. It was to be hoped, he continued, ' that the baths would be ready for the j coming summer, which would see a big season fcr swimming in Taranaki, ! clue to the holding of the New Zealand championships in the province. N.Z. Championships. Stratford had secured the off night of the championships as/ their open- ; icg night, and, if tho new baths were leady, the night would be a big one for Stratford, as all the crack swimmers would be there. Another, factor was that if Stratford had the baths, half the Taranaki (hampionsipE could be held at Stratford this year. The usual practice was for half this championship to be held at New Plymouth and the other half at Hawera. In view of the New Zealand champ'onships being held at New Plymouth it was probable that there would be no difficulty about the Taranaki championships' ordinarily he'd there being transferred to Stratford, provided proper baths were available. Due to its central position, stra£.?ord m'rjht eventually become the permanent venue of the Taranaki championships l , Mr Petrie considered. Proper bath facilities would alto greatly extend tile' ordinary activities of the club, said Mr Petrie, in conclusion. Teams from Auckland and other northern centres woifd be able to visit Stratford for competitive carnivals and first class swimming ■would be provided fcr the public.