BLUE BATHS

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 102, 21 December 1931, Page 5

BLUE BATHS

OFFICIAL OPENING PUBLIC INVITED TO ENJOY MIXED BATHING FREE "; TO-NIGHT'S CEREMONY In conneetion with the opening tonight of the new Blue Bath the Department of Tourist and Health Resorts has issued an invitation to the t general public to inspect the new building and enjoy gratis, the hitherto unknown pleasure of ' mixed bathing in the warm mineral water pool. The opening ceremony, which will be a short one, and will, it is hoped, be performed by Mr. C. H. Clinkard M.P. member for Rotorua, will take place at 8 p.m. At the conclusion of the ceremony the doors will be thrown open and the bath will then be available to all who care to take advantage of the opportunity to enjoy a swim. Intending bathers to-night will require to provide their own costumes and towels but both costumes and towels will be available from to-mor-row and may be hired for a small fee. It is expected that a record attendance will mark to-night's ceremony, ' which will celebrate the. opening of another stage in the development of Rotorua as a modern spa and holiday resort. The facilities for mixed bathing afforded by the new bath are certain to prove one of the town's most popular attractions. In addition they make it possible to form some conception of what the whole scheme will be like when completed. The bath to be opened to-night will • ventually become the juvenile pool. Meantime, it has been prepared for adult use and as it is 75 feet in length— 15 feet longer than the old Blue Bath — and has a depth of water of from 4ft 6in to 2ft 6in, it will admirably fulfil its • temporary purpose. The water, which is drawn from the adjacent Rachel Pool in the Government Gardens is to be maintained at a temperature a little below 90 degre.es. At night the pool is to be floodlighted and when crowded with bathers in multi-coloured costumes will present a brilliant scene of animation which will not be amongst the least of its attractions.