Sheffield War Memorial Baths

Description

NameSheffield War Memorial Baths Last edited by: Sarah Davy

Alternative NameSheffield Memorial Swimming Pool Last edited by: Sarah Davy

Sheffield Memorial Baths Last edited by: Sarah Davy

Sheffield Memoroial Pool Last edited by: Sarah Davy

DescriptionThe Sheffield War Memorial Baths were opened on 7 November 1953 by Mr. J. K. McAlpine M.P., with a special swimming demonstration by the Spreydon Club and several national and provincial champions. The newspaper report of the opening recorded that the pool measured 25 yards (22.8m) by 30 feet (9.1m), and had brick changing sheds and a brick fence. At the time, the baths were 'considered by residents to be the best country baths in the South Island'.

The baths were a commemorative project run by the Sheffield War Memorial Committee, chaired by Mr. G. Sutherland, following World War 2. The plaques on each side of the entrance gate read 'Sheffield War Memorial Baths' and '1939-1945'. The commemoration of the names of local lives lost in WW2 are on the Sheffield War Memorial on State Highway 73.

The baths cost 5500 pounds, 3000 of which were funded through local fundraising by the Committee through events such as dances like the 'Grand Fantastic Ball' on New Years Eve, 1953. The remainder of the funds were provided by the government, in line with the way it then subsidised war memorials. The Sheffield community undertook working bees during the construction of the baths, which took 15 months.

From around 1954, the baths became the home of the Sheffield Memorial Swimming Club,and were used to host local swimming carnivals. In 1961 the club hosted a musical evening by 'Miss Rosemary Hewston's Melody Makers', involving 40 Christchurch teenage musicians, in the Sheffield Hall to raise funds for a new filtration plant for the pool.

The street view of the baths was changed sometime in the 1960s or 70s with the addition of concrete blocks to the brick fence, obstructing the view of pool-goers from passers-by. Last edited by: Sarah Davy

Date Established7 November 1953 Last edited by: Sarah Davy

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