Bay of Colwyn Sun-Bathing and Swimming Pool Rhos-on-Sea
COLWYN BAY – The Council has received from Harry S Fairhurst and Son, architects, Manchester, plans for a bathing pool scheme estimated at £20,000, and to be erected in grounds adjoining Rhos Abbey Hotel, Rhos-on-Sea. [Builder 13 November 1931 Page 808]
BAY OF COLWYN SUN BATHING AND SWIMMING POOL, Tomorrow there is to be opened in the Bay of Colwyn at Rhos-on-Sea, one of the most elegant and charming swimming pools upon the coastline frequented by the North of England. This pool, with its special safeguarded bath for babies, its sun bathing terraces, café and promenades, adjoining the sea front, close by the Rhos Abbey Hotel, and has been built by a company to designs by Messrs Harry S Fairhurst and Son. It is to be opened by Lady Grizel Hamilton. (See also below)
The Bay of Colwyn Sun-bathing and Swimming Pool as it is called, has been planned so that it will satisfy the needs of both expert and amateur swimmers, and to make an attractive area for spectators also. The general contractor is Mr William Smith. The drawing which we reproduce shows its general shape. Its length is 200 feet, which is the distance required for championship contests. The water in the long stretch is four feet six inches deep. Upon the margin of the pool, in the three-sided bay, there is an open diving stage which conforms to the International code for diving contests. One board is over 16 feet above the water; a spring board is ten feet above and there are graduated intermediate platforms which project from one of the staircases upon alternate steps. The balustrades and iron staircases have been made by Messrs Alexander Lees. The staging overhangs water which is nine feet six inches deep in the bay. The far shore in the curved bay opposite is 100 feet away, and here the water is shallow. It is something under two feet deep and may be safely used by children. The D-shaped bath at the far end of the pool is for babies only, and is so shallow that they can never be considered in danger. A foaming slide of water feeds this little pool, and above this slide there is to be seen one of the chief ornaments of the building. It is really the chief supply of the two baths. It is a sort of fountain, a foaming source of water which descends over innumerable broken surfaces, splashing and bubbling in the sun, to reach the green tide below.
Round this fountain at different levels are the sun-bathing terraces. They occupy the horseshoe in four tiers eight feet wide, and sloping a little towards the ground. This small arena will be one of the most attractive parts of the enclosure for it is designed in such a way that upon gala occasions it will be possible to make the water play in coloured light. The electrical equipment has been installed by Messrs William Anderson and Company.
A special system of water purification has been installed at Rhos. The pool holds 400,000 gallons of sea- water, and it will all pass through the filters once in every eight hours. After this process of purification, which frees it from bacteria, it is re-aerated, and it is returned to the pool in a state of such cleanliness that it will be possible to see a pin through six feet of water. Bathers using the diving stages or the water-chute will thus have the most lucid view of their element.
It will be seen that there are places for spectators in tiers of wooden seats round the arc of the curved bay and also at both sides of the diving stage. There is also accommodation for them upon the flat roofs of the wings, and in the promenade space reserved for them. The dressing rooms are built of wooden partitions under the spectators’ tiers, men on one side, women on the other. A system not common in England is to be adopted in the provision of dressing accommodation. There will be 170 dressing boxes, and there will be at least twice as many metal lockers. A bather who has put on his costume will be required to take his clothing and secure it in one of the lockers. When he comes out of the water he will take his clothing to the first empty dressing box. This system not only protects the bathers’ effects but multiplies the accommodation of the bath. The showers and footbaths are conveniently placed within the bathers’ rooms. Towels and costumes are supplied in each from an octagon of glass. The whole of these enclosed dressing-places is lit by daylight. Mr Oswald MacDonald is the plastering contractor.
The general effect of the enclosure will be white. But upon the spectators’ tiers the whiteness of the concrete will be brilliantly barred by the paintwork of the seating. The paintwork has been done by Messrs W H Jones and Sons. The handrails ascending from the water will be of stainless steel and some decorative effect is added by the non-slip margin of the pool and the terra cotta handrail in natural stone colour which runs around the bath at the water level. The café, furnished by Messrs Carryer and Gill, and two shops which can be seen at the left of the picture, makes a focal point of view which contrasts with the terraces at the other end of the long axis, where the curved parapet appears fenced in by graceful trees. The fencing and gates have been provided by Messrs Rowland Brothers. [Manchester Guardian 27 July 1933 Page 14]
BAY OF COLWYN SUN BATHING AND SWIMMING POOL, FORMAL OPENING, JULY 28th, 1933, at 2 p.m.- The Ceremony be performed by LADY GRIZEL HAMILTON, at 3 p.m. who will then ask Mr. JACK PETERSEN. Heavy-weight Boxing Champion of Great Britain to open the Pool by making the first dive. [Manchester Guardian 27 July 1933 Page 14 - advert]
Colwyn Bay Building Control Records record an application By Harry S Fairhurst and Son in 1934 for a second phase of the scheme comprising a ballroom and terraces. It would seem that this phase was not progressed.
Reference Builder 13 November 1931 Page 808
Reference Manchester Guardian 27 July 1933 Page 14
Archive Denbighshire Records Plan No 1360 1931 First stage: Swimming Pool and Terraces
Archive Denbighshire Records Plan No 1360 1934. Second stage 1934 Ballroom and Terraces
