SWIMMING BATHS FOR SHANNON.

Shannon News, 18 February 1927, Page 3

SWIMMING BATHS FOR SHANNON.

ENTHUSIASTIC PUBLIC MEETING. RECOMMEND POLL TO BE TAKEN. The public meeting called by the Mayor to discuss the question of swimming baths, was held in the Shannon Council Chambers on Tuesday evening, bqing well attended by a representative gathering of citizens, all of whom desirous that some action should be taken to procure public baths in the town. The Mayor presided. Cr. E. J. S. Spencer, who had brought the matter before the Borough Council at their last meeting, stated that, he had asked the Council for their support at the meeting, both collectively and individually, and he was pleased to say they had been unanimous in offering their support. He said that for a long time he had recognise! the need of swimming baths in the town and some time ago he had endeavoured to get something of the kind, but had not met with success. He hoped that this meeting would arrive at something definite that evening. The scheme he had to place before them was for swimming baths to be erected in the Domain, near the paddling pool, at the corner of Stout and Vogel Streets, this being the most favourable and suitable spot the Council could think of. The baths were to be 25 yards in length, 15 feet in width (which could be reduced to 10 feet). At the shallow end they would be three fee't deep, and at the bottom end 7ft 6in, while abouC a third of the distance from the shallow end there would be 6ft 6in of water. The whole wpuld be concreted and plastered. On each side-walk there would be a space of 5 feet and at the ends 3 feet. The pool would be surrounded by a 7-foot corrugated iron fence. Provision would bo made for 17 dressing rooms on each side, a total of 34. After careful investigation he estimated the cost of construction of swimming baths on the above line would be approximately £750. He thought the biggest difficulty they would be faced with would be the drainage. In regard to raising the money to carry out the scheme, he had in mind, the holding of a carnival and if such a course was decided upon he did not have the slightest doubt that the school committee would amalgamate. He had heard a rumour that assistance to the amount of £2OO would be given by the school committee. He said there would be about 200 yards of spoil to remove, estimated cost of which would be £BS, which possibly the Athletic Club would share. In conclusion, he again expressed the hope that the meeting would decide upon something, as baths were most essential to enable the children to learn to swim and the children of Shannon should have the same benefits in this respect as those of other towns. In his opinion swimming was part of their education. The baths would not only be a benefit to children but to adults. The Mayor stated that, although the school committee had discussed the necessity of swimming baths, nothing whatever had been done, the matter being held over until the coming householders meeting In April. ' Mr. Howard Andrew, in according J the scheme his strong support, said he I realised what a boon swimming baths had been to his children. He submitted particulars and cost of construction and maintenance of the Levin baths, ( which had been supplied him by Mr. Jenkins, Town Clerk of Levin. He asked Cr. Spencer if he thought suitable baths could be constructed for less than £750. The latter replied that he did not think they could get baths for less than £650. Mr. T. King asked Cr. Spencer if he did not think the cost of £BS for excavating 200 yards of Vpoil was excessive. Cr. Spencer said he was not responsible for the estimate, but he understood this sum covered tho lifting of the drain and that the cost for excavating was 3s 6d per yard, which he thought was a fair cost. In reply to Mr. J. V. Burns as to whether a charge could be made :f the baths are erected in the Domain the Mayor replied in the affirmative. Dealing with a suggestion by Mr. J. Riches that an endeavour bo made to secure a site belonging to Mrs. McPherson, situated in Plimmer Terrace, adjoining Messrs King an i Hunt's shop, Cr. Spencer said this site would be most unsuitable as it took a largo portion of the soakage of the town, lie said the. hollow could be piped and build the baths over it, but this was not advisable as they must be on solid clay.

Mr. Morgan replying to a question as to whether the Education Department subsidised school baths, said it was not compulsory, although a few years ago the Board had allowed capitation, but recently this had been withdrawn for economical purposes. In such cases the baths had been under the control of the teachers. Regarding the proposed site, he thought the distance the children would have to travel from the school would not tend towards the best

of discipline, therefore he would like

I to see some site closer to the school I decided upon, even if they had to pur- } chase a site. At this point Mr. James Curraa I mentioned a site at the school, but the Mayor said he did not think the Education Department would permit public baths to be erected there. Mr. Curran expressed the opinion that if the Department was approached he thought they would be only too willing to assist. He suggested that a site opposite, of equal value, could be given the Education Department. A general discussion then - followed as to what move the meeting should make towards achieving their object, during which suggestions were made that a committee be set up immediately to consider ways and means of carrying out the object of the meeting; also that the matter be held over until

after the new Council is elected. However, both suggestions were thrown out; no finality being arrived at re the site. At this point Mr. James Curran, of Sheehan Street, asked did the Council still own a section in Stout Sreet, on the opposite side above the Post Office. He said he referred to the one on which i\he flßforougih cottage was situated, there being an ideal spot at the back of the section for baths, and it was central.

The Mayor agreed that was so, saying the Council had overlooked it when considering the different sites.

Finally, Mr. Curran, reverting to ways and means of finding the money, thought it would be better for the Council to take a poll of the ratepayers, which he contended would be fair to everybody and save a lot of trouble. If they failed, then they would have to fall back on the public for vo'untary subscriptions. He then moved that it be a recommendation to the Borougn Council that a poll of ratepayers be taken as to whether they are in favour of a loan being raised for the erection of swimming baths in Shannon, also as to which site they favour, viz., the Domain or that on the Borough's property at the rear of cottage in Stout Street.

An amendment was moved by Mr. Morgan "That the question of site no left over until a future date." • Cr. Downes said the site recommended by Mr. Curran was central and should be most suitable. It bad been overlooked by the Council. He contended that the site should be definitely fixed when the proposal was being put to the ratepayers, as otherwise no one would know what loan was required. Mr. J. Murray recommended that a committee be appointed to inspect the different sites and report to another meeting.

Mr. Curran agreed that it was important in asking for the loan to state the site, which would certainly have a bearing on the result of the poll.

After further discussion a vote was taken and Mr. Curran 's motion was carried.

The meeting then terminated, votes of thanks being accorded the Town Clerk at Levm and Cr. Spencer for the particulars' furnished as to what was required and the coat.