SWIMMING PROSPECTS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 10, Issue 61, 11 December 1946, Page 5

SWIMMING PROSPECTS

' PROVISION OF BATHS ■ HARBOUR BOARD’S DISCUSSION < A full discussion on the possibility of providing a safe swimming bath which would be ready for use this season, took place at the last meeting of the Whakatane Harbour Board, when Mr H. G. Warren reported further on the investigations which had been carried out. As a result, the Board decided to continue with its offer to find .up to twothirds of the cost, and spend up to £IOO on the project. After briefly outlining the previous efforts which had been made to secure a site at the Old Wharf; the speaker, stated that .the Heads had been considered, and it was thought that here, without to much expense, it would be possible to form a suitable bath in which competitions could- be held. Unfortunately the Borough Council could not afford to make any expenditure in /this direction, therefore, unless the Harbour Board could do something, dt looked as if the 'project would fall to the ground.

Mr Hunter, said that jn his opinion, if the Borough Council was not prepared to pay any of the cost, the Harbour Board could not be expected to carry the whole cost. He suggested that the money be raised by public subscription, to which the Harbour Board could contribute. The chairman, Mr W. R. Boon, said that he was sorry the Borough Council could not contribute anything. The Board .was- prepared to pay two-thirds of the cost (£100), as it could make use of the spoil which ■ would- have to be dredged from the bottom of the pool. As it was," the pool was pot 'safe. If there was a swell, even a sound swimmer could quite easily be carried ..outside the groyne and get into trouble. A safe pool would be a distinct asset to the town.

Commenting on the number of gaps which had developed in the groyne, the Consulting Engineer (Mr C. H. Brebner) stated that it might cost anything .up to £IOO to repair these.

The chairman added that he thought that, if these breaks, were repaired, better scourage in the river itself would result. The two-thirds of the cost which the Board was prepared to pay was /not to assist the Borough Council, but to. secure, if possible, a safe swimming pool for the town. If the Council wished to raise its. share by public subscription, that was all right. A resolution was passed as above.