New Plymouth Municipal Saltwater Baths (1903 - 1963)

The New Plymouth Municipal Saltwater Baths were officially opened on 3 December, 1903 by the Mayor of New Plymouth, Mr R. Cock.

The proposal for a salt water pool had been mooted some years before and the Taranaki Herald reported a meeting of those interested on 23 February, 1899. Discussions continued for some years until a decision was finally reached and on 16 April 1903 a tender was accepted from Boon Bros. for the construction of the baths at a cost of £2182 (Taranaki Herald p.4). The complex was designed by the architect John Arthur Maisey, who practiced in New Plymouth between 1897 and 1905. 

In Mr Cock's opening address he said the baths were "double the size of those originally suggested....they would cost about £3000." Later Mr Tisch commented that "confined" baths had been erected so "men and the gentler sex" could bathe "without fear of being washed out to sea or being eaten by sharks". After the opening ceremony a series of swimming events took place including water polo matches and diving.

The pool was filled and emptied at each tide and was surrounded by 40 dressing boxes. Men and women swam at different times, although "Family Bathing" was allowed on Thursdays from 2.00 p.m. until 5.00 p.m. (Taranaki Herald 24 February 1904)

Following a fire at the baths in 1927, considerable improvements were made to the facility. It served New Plymouth until 1963 as when it was removed to make way for the the present outdoor pool and diving complex. The last day of swimming in the old pool was 2 March 1963.