SCHOOL SWIMMING POOL

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 4, Issue 175, 3 November 1941, Page 4

SCHOOL SWIMMING POOL

FOR a considerable period the School Committee and staff have felt that the lack of facilities for teaching swimming at the school was a serious defect. For a time instruction was given in a pool in the Maraetotara Gorge but this pool has been destroyed by floods, the dam having being washed away. For some time preparatory work has been done to have a learn-to-swim pool constructed in the school grounds. Such pools are being erected at many New Zealand schools and have the approval of the Education Department which is willing to grant a subsidy up to a limited amount for their construction. The Department does not favour large size baths a,t schools, owing to the expense and trouble of upkeep. Some criticism of the proposal to build a small pool has been voiced on the grounds that it is too small. A larger project is not possible at present as no subsidy would be available for its construction. Further, to draw a large amount of water from the Borough supply at present is not possible. Even the limited amount asked for will entail a considerable annual charge. Before approval for the project can be obtained and, the subsidy guaranteed complete plans will have to be submitted to the Education Department. These will be drawn up to conform with strict regulations, otherwise approval is withheld. Plans on these lines have now been drawn up and are being submitted to the Department and when approved an estimate of costs will be made. The Department's requirements are considerably in excess of what was originally anticipated and hence the cost will be much higher. However, the School Committee

feels that the project is one that will receive widespread public support and is therefore proceeding. A start has already been made by the pupils themselves. Each primary class has undertaken to collect waste material to the value of a fixed amount. Pupils have been told not to ask their parents for money but to regard it as their personal effort. Parents are therefore asked to co-operate. Before long they themselves will be asked to contribute liberally. On no account should parents or others contribute money to children with subscription lists unless such lists bear the authority of the Committee or Headmaster. Before long a public appeal will be launched and the support of the whole community asked for this worthy object.