BLUE BATHS

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 72, 16 November 1931, Page 6

BLUE BATHS

ready next month MIXED BATHING FACILITIES FOR HbLIDAY SEASON. SMALLER POOL NEARLY READY. The work at the new Blue Bath is progressing steadily and it is expected that the smaller pool wjll be ready for bathers at. Christmas. Even in its present stage of construction this portion of the bath gives a fair indicaj tion of what the building promises to I be when completed and there is no doubt that it will be one of the finest swimming pools in the Empire. The architecture of the bath is a modified form of the Italian Renaissance type — with pillared courts and fountain garden — and will De carried out in a colour scheme of terra cotta and buff, thus giving a sunny atmosphere to the building without undue glare. It is proposed to decorate the dressing cubicles in a harmony of eggshell blue and deep cream with a special preparation 6f duco paint, thus preserving the best interests of beau- , ty and hygiene. Mixed Bathing. Perhaps one of the greatest attractions of the new bath apart from its outward" appearance will be that it will, it is understood, introduce into the life of the Rotorua Spa facilities for mixed bathing, a pastime which has become so popular and universal in the bathing establishments of Europe and England. With the opening of the first portion of the Blue Bath about the middle of next month, a long felt want in the community life of Rotorua will be supplied and this service, which will undoubtedly prove itself exceedingly popular, will apart from giving pleasure to the bathing patrons, be an exeellent financial investment to th the Tourist Department. Although it is only the smaller bath that is to be opened this year, it has an area of 70 feet by 36 feet, with a depth varying from 4! feet at one end to 2! feet at the other, and it is hoped that this will be sufficient to accommodate the bathers nntil the main, poll is completed with its extra size and facilties. Work will recommence on the main bath as soon as the smaller pool is opened to the public and while this is in progress a temporary wall will be erected at the open end of the partly completed building. This wall will be painted to harmonise with the surroundings, and to make the interior around the smaller pool look like a completed building similar in style to the finished project, thongh smaller in scale. As the main entrance has not yet been constructed a tempqrary one is being made at the other end of the building with access to the traffic road through the Gardens. Construction Work. Although the building of the new Blue Bath has so far not produced any of the difficulties encountered during the erection of the Ward Baths, it has nevertheless necessitated a certain amonnt of special construction on account of the peculiar type of the ground on which it is situated. The building had to be constructed on a raft foundation, as it is unsafe to drive piles into the pumice soil in this area on account of the thermal activity underneath. Also, when laying down the floors of the baths it was first necessary to protect the concrete work from the corroding action of chemical fumes by a layer of bitumen, a substance little affected in Rotorua. Around the baths, the water level in which will be above the level of the ground, the formation is built up in reinforced^ concrete, leaving a series of small tunnels which will be used for ventilation and drainage purposes. The main drains are carried in tunnels beneath these again, and are so constructed that there is no risk of cleaners working in them being affected by fumes. The lower foundations of the whole building are reinforced at intervals of four inches, while the floors and the walls above have six inch reinforcing. The building enclosing the smaller bath is now practically completed, and there is only the plastering and painting to finish before this portion is ready for public use. Work is being hurried along so that the bath may be available at the earliest possible date. Description of. Bath. On either side of the bath are rows of cubicles for the adult bathers and common dressing rooms for the juveniles. At the southern end is a semi-circular pergola court with stone pillars supporting a framework of heavy beaming. In the centre is a small rockery fountain and pond. At the other end of the bath is a colonade, which will on the completion of building, give access to the main pool. Supported by this is a balcony, where it is intended that sun bathing facilities will be available. At the junction of the roofs of the main and smaller bath ouildings are turret rooms, which are set down on the plans as chair rooms, but now, it is understood, will be used as dressing rooms for the sunbathers. Tiling Not Commenced. As the tiles for the lining of the baths have not yet arrived from England, the smaller pool for the time being will be finished in a white cement until a lull after the Christmas traffic gives an opportunity to complete the work. When the whole project is completed there will be many added attractions for bathers and visitors, but work on this portion of the building is still in its initial stages.