Memorial Park Baths

Centennial Swimming Baths, Tauranga, c. 1950s
Real photo postcard published by N.S. Seaward, Broad Bay, Dunedin
Collection of Justine Neal

In 1945 a committee set up by the Chamber of Commerce submitted their report making recommendations regarding a baths scheme for Tauranga. The idea was for the plans to be submitted to the Government as a memorial project for WWII in order to be granted a substantial subsidy towards their construction. If granted it would mean the Borough would only need to supply an estimated £7-8,000 towards the £22,000 the scheme was expected to cost. 

Centennial Swimming Baths, Tauranga, c. 1950s
Hand-coloured real photo postcard published by N.S. Seaward, Broad Bay, Dunedin
Collection of Justine Neal

The following points were made in the report.

• The Borough Council had selected Jordan Park as the site for the pool, particularly suitable because of its central position and the fact that it was already owned by the borough.
• There was ample space available for parking cars and bicycles, and it was in close proximity to several schools as well as the main business area.
• The baths and buildings were to be constructed of permanent materials such as reinforced concrete, and as a safety measure both the main and children’s pool were to be lined with light coloured tiles.
• The main pool was to be 50 metres by 13 metres making the pool suitable for all swimming sports, including those conducted under the Olympic rules. This meant the pool could not only be used for New Zealand Championships but possibly for the Empire Games.
• The learner’s pool was to be 14 metres by 11 metres.
• The main pool should have a deep section at one end for high and fancy diving and a diving tower equipped with diving stages up to 11 metres above the water level.
• Sea water should be pumped into the baths through a purifier and fresh water available when required for fresh water championships.
• The pool area should be flood lit for evening carnivals and mechanical cleaning apparatus provided.

Memorial Park, Tauranga, c. 1964
Chromolithographic postcard published by “Photo News” (18_6)
Collection of Justine Neal

No self-respecting baths building could be complete without the following:

• men’s and women’s lounges with attached conveniences,
• a swimming club meeting room,
• a custodian’s office,
• sports officials’ room, and
• a ticket office and turnstile.

Memorial Park & Environs, Tauranga, c. 1980
Chromolithographic postcard published by Pictorial Publications Ltd, Hastings (P1674)
Collection of Justine Neal

During carnivals it was felt the following would be needed:

• locker rooms for men and women,
• conveniences and showers for swimmers and spectators, and
• individual hot and cold baths.

The committee thought that a heating apparatus should be put in during construction, even if not able to be used immediately, so that when sufficient electricity was available it could be used to heat the pool during the winter months.

The baths opened in 1955, and I suspect were a somewhat watered-down version of the 1945 recommendation.

References

Papers Past: The Bay of Plenty Times, 18 April 1945

Tauranga 1882–1982, edited by A.C. Bellamy