Modern Swimming Pool For Oamaru

Press, Volume C, Issue 29505, 5 May 1961, Page 15

Modern Swimming Pool For Oamaru

Tenders have been let and construction has begun on s new municipal swimming pool at Oamaru which will be one of the most modern and attractive in New Zealand. Construction will be in two stages. The first will provide a 100 ft by 50ft pool of Empire Games standard There will also be a diving pool and tower separate from the main pool. The second stage will provide a learners’ pool. The contract price for the mam scheme is £33-500 The Oamaru Junior Chamber is attempting to raise sufficient funds to ensure that a ‘ta-t can be made

with the learners' pool before the main contract is completed. The main architectural feature will be the dressing sheds, of unique design in New Zealand The roof of the sheds .will be of prestressed concrete “V’-beams spanning the full width of the building and incorporating continuous skylights and vents. Sunlight will thus penetrate to all parts of the sheds. Cylindrical-shaped shower rooms with full glass roofs placed at an angle to admit full sunlight to all areas of the showers will be another feature The whole site has been laid out with plantings.

lawns, trees, and gardens to give a park-like atmosphere The Oamaru stone walls, which give protection from prevailing winds, will be covered with selected creepers. The walls of the dressing sheds will be of concrete masonry blocks painted in attractive colours on the inside. The entrance foyer will have tiled walls throughout and continuous skylights above to give a clean inviting effect Filtered Water The pool is to be provided with fully filtered continuously circulating water and adequate floodlighting for night swimming.

Tinted tiles will be used on the floor of the entrance, from which there is a straight view through glass doors to the main pool beyond.

An administration and control desk will have a glass front giving a view to all parts of the pool. There will be generous concrete paving surrounds for sun bathing at the edge of the pool. The first stage of the contract is planned for completion in time for next swimming season. The architects are Messrs P. J. Beaven and A L. Mitchener. of Christchurch. The structural engineers are Messrs Bridges and Milward, of Timaru, and the contractors Messrs Bruce Taylor and Company