BLUE BATHS

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 101, 19 December 1931, Page 5

BLUE BATHS

opening monday mixed bath.ing provided for in handsome new pool ; MANY MODERN FACILITIES The opening to the public on Monday of the first section qf- the new Blue Baths will mark the 'commencement of a further important stage in the development of Rotorua as a modr ern holiday reso'rt and spa, tlre Tourr ist Department having decided to make the new pool aVailahle for mixed bathing, facilities for whioh have never previously been provided. The complete plans for .the Blue Baths provide for two pools, a standard swimming bath 100 feet in length with a maximum depth of water of seven feet, for the use of adults and a somewhat smaller pool espeeially designed to cater for the children. It is this smaller pool which has now been completed, and as this, when filled to the maximum level, will -provide a ' sufficient depth taf wateta, it has been decided toi.make it aVailable for adtalt miked bathing. atad thus fill a

: long-felt 'gap in. thej f&cHities, *of the . Spa! The! new bath »is-. therefore certain to prove tane of the most popular of the- Government's enterpnses m Rot orua." • . . % , , The building housitag the bath 'has been designed- on the most modern lines. Architecturally it follows " the Italian Renaissance in a modified form. The Stone-work of the external walls and'-a colonnade of eight fluted pillars which eventually will divide this pool' from the larger one is tinted a pale terra cotta, thus giving a sunny atmosphere without glare. The dressing rooms, showers auS other conveniences are finished in a marble surfacing and are designed in aecordance with the most modern praetice to give patrons the maximum of comfort and convenience. Ajound the bath itself, which is open to the sky, there is a broad space with seating aceommodation coloured to harmonise with the walls, while the end opposite the colonnade is closed with a semieircular court with seats around its perimeter and a miniature fountain in the centre. The court is partially roofed with heavy beams, formiing a pergola. Among the amenities not previously provided at any of the baths in "Rotorua are small lockers for the safekeeping of patrons' valuables while they are in the bath. These may be hired for a small fee and .are certain to prove a popular innovation. Another innovation will be the provis>ion for a small fee of bathing costumes as well as of towels. The timetable, which has now been issued, provides for the bath being open on week-days from 6.30 a.m. until 11 p.m. with the exception of three intervals, each of one and a half hours, eommencing at 8.30 a.m., 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. The bath will also be open on Sundays. Dr. J. D. C. -Duncan, Government Balneoloerist at Rotorua. extiresspd

the opinion when interviewed by the "Post" that the opening of the new Blue Bath and the inauguration of mixed bathing marked a further stage in the progress of Rotorua. Gaiety the Key-note "Rotorua, with its unique facilities for health and sport, is rapidly becoming the holiday playground of the Dosminion," he said, "and this added pleasure of community swiriiming will give fresh impetus to the holiday spirit among both visitors and residents. Moreover, healthy pleasure, such as will be provided by this new recreational facility, will help to sweep away the cobwebs of gloom and depression from the minds of those who take advantage of it. Clean and joyous gaiety are to be the keynote of conditions in this beautifully appointed pool and it is expected that it will be a poi'ular factot in providita'g "jo'y during the coming carnival season."

Mr. L. J>. Bayfeild, district manager of fhe Tourist' Depaftmetat,' said that the Department had now provided Rotorua witb better facilities in the way of mineral water bathing pools than were -to be' found anywhere elSe in the Southern Hemisphere, there being now available the ladies' and men's baths at the Ward Baths and the mixed bathihg"--po6l at'-Hthe .neW' Blue Baths! • \ , x. | "The: opening of the taew pool is another step toward the realisation of Government's plan to provide Rotorua with really comprehensive bathing and sivimtaiing facilities Jn accordanee with the most modern ideas," said Mr. Bayfeild. "It is hoped that the whole of the new Blue Bath building, which, besides being a standard swiming bath suitable for championship swimming carnivals will contain an attractive and luxuriously. furnished social lounge and a large. tea-room, as well as >other modern amenities and when completed will be a very fine building, will )be ready for next season." Appeal to Residents. " "Mr. Bayfeild further said that he would like to 'make an appeal 'to the public of Rotorua to Use these wonderful facilities. "NUmhers -of residents are keen to urge the Government to spend thousands of pounds. on providing bathing facilities for visitors . and residents, but I venture to say that 70 per cent. of the residents of Rotorua have neVef seeh thta inside of the Ward Baths, a building Which is well worth inspection, even if the baths are not used. The price of the baths, hy taking concession tickets, has heen brought dowta t6 U' fiiinimum, being for the swimming pools 5d for residents and 7d for visitors, so that no objection should be raised en the score of cost. Naturally a fair amount of support will be necessary from the general. public (resideftts included) if the Government is to maintain and keep these. baths open continuously. If this is not forthcoming, it is quite possible that bathing hours will have to he severely curtailed. This action the Department- dtaes not wish to take." Mr. Bayfeild paid a tribute to the excellent work don'e by the Public Works Department staffi Under the overseer, Mr. F. Barnicbtt, who- have heen responsible for the whole of the work. As every one kneW/hesaid, the work ha'd had to be 'fcarri'ed' on with very limited funds .and the Public Wofks staff had dotae' Wery well im deed to have one section of the bath ! finished so thoroughly and well 4a [time for the "present season.