Mal 1005
1900 - City Baths
Part of my "250 Years in Chester" set - www.flickr.com/photos/58696328@N04/sets/72157628164944467
Swimming pools became popular in Britain in the mid 19th century. By 1837, six indoor pools with diving boards were built in London, England.
After the modern Olympic Games began in 1896 and included swimming races, the popularity of swimming pools began to spread.
The public baths were built for Chester City Council between 1898 and 1901 and were designed by the local architect John Douglas on whose land they were constructed. It was an unusual commission for Douglas, as most of his previous designs had been for churches and houses. Designing the baths involved "technical complexity and specialist engineering work". During the design process Douglas advised that because of possible leakage through the concrete linings of the baths, it should be replaced by a bituminous lining at an additional cost of £150 (£12,000 as of 2012); the council agreed to this.
In the 1970s the city council were building Northgate Arena, a leisure complex which included a swimming pool, and they stated that they would not be able to afford to run both this and the old baths. However the City of Chester Swimming Club were of the opinion that the new baths would not be suitable for competitive swimming or for water polo. The Chester Swimming Association was formed and they took over the management of the baths on 14 April 1977.
The structure is partly in two storeys and partly in one storey. The frontage on Union Street is in two storeys. The lower storey is in red Ruabon brick with stone dressings, the upper storey is half-timbered, and the decorated chimney stacks are brick. Behind the frontage are the swimming baths and the boiler house is at the rear. Between the entrances is a pair of ogee-headed windows, over which is a stone panel containing the city's coat of arms. Internally there are two swimming baths. The larger, the Atlantic, 25 yards (23 m) long, is deep enough for diving, and is surrounded by galleries. The other bath, the Pacific, is 20 yards (18 m) long.
1900 - City Baths
Part of my "250 Years in Chester" set - www.flickr.com/photos/58696328@N04/sets/72157628164944467
Swimming pools became popular in Britain in the mid 19th century. By 1837, six indoor pools with diving boards were built in London, England.
After the modern Olympic Games began in 1896 and included swimming races, the popularity of swimming pools began to spread.
The public baths were built for Chester City Council between 1898 and 1901 and were designed by the local architect John Douglas on whose land they were constructed. It was an unusual commission for Douglas, as most of his previous designs had been for churches and houses. Designing the baths involved "technical complexity and specialist engineering work". During the design process Douglas advised that because of possible leakage through the concrete linings of the baths, it should be replaced by a bituminous lining at an additional cost of £150 (£12,000 as of 2012); the council agreed to this.
In the 1970s the city council were building Northgate Arena, a leisure complex which included a swimming pool, and they stated that they would not be able to afford to run both this and the old baths. However the City of Chester Swimming Club were of the opinion that the new baths would not be suitable for competitive swimming or for water polo. The Chester Swimming Association was formed and they took over the management of the baths on 14 April 1977.
The structure is partly in two storeys and partly in one storey. The frontage on Union Street is in two storeys. The lower storey is in red Ruabon brick with stone dressings, the upper storey is half-timbered, and the decorated chimney stacks are brick. Behind the frontage are the swimming baths and the boiler house is at the rear. Between the entrances is a pair of ogee-headed windows, over which is a stone panel containing the city's coat of arms. Internally there are two swimming baths. The larger, the Atlantic, 25 yards (23 m) long, is deep enough for diving, and is surrounded by galleries. The other bath, the Pacific, is 20 yards (18 m) long.