Built in 1938, the outdoor pool is a lido-style pool with a turquoise interior, Art Deco geometry, and a hexagonal tiered aerator. The pool is influenced by new design ideas, including symmetrical layout, Art Deco-inspired railings, and decorative palm trees. The pool had two official openings in 1938 – the first on April 30 that year, and the second officially on July 2.
The pool underwent a refurbishment in 2013, totalling £1.8 million and were subject to months of delays. The renovation of Hitchin Swimming Centre, was due to be completed in January but customers of the facility in Fishponds Road were told that works would not be finished until end of April.
The project, that was funded by both North Hertfordshire District Council (NHDC) and Stevenage Leisure Limited (SLL), includes a newly designed ‘Changing Village’, which offers upgraded facilities for pool users and replaces the outdated facilities which have been in use for more than 20 years.
| Name | Hitchin Swimming Pool Fishponds Road, Hitchin, SG5 1HA |
| Built / opened | 2nd July 1938 by the Lord-Lieutenant of Hertfordshire |
| Cost | £15,104 plus £1,344 for the land |
| Dimensions | 165′ x 60′ |
| Capacity | 385,000 gallons |
| Water type | |
| Depth(s) | 3′ to 9′ |
| Diving boards | 5m fixe boad, 1m and 3m spring boards |
| Changing facilities | 114 dressing cubicles for adults, 90 for children. 632 Hyg-gard-all hangers. |
| Second pool | Childrens pool 60′ x 30′, 22,000 gallons, 1′ 6″ to 2′ 7″ |
| Spectator seating | |
| Designer | Mr W L Whittle, Council Surveyor |
| Date closed | N.A |
| Status | Open |
| On site now | The pool |
| Notes | Indoor pool on the same site opened in 1991 |
| Links | Hitchin Swimming and Fitness Centre – Everyone Active |
Baths and Bath Engineering, May 1939
The old pool in Queen Street was constructed about 1860. Originally a private commercial concern, it was purchased in 1886 by the local Board of Health for £200. By 1935, the greater popularity of swimming had caused the accommodation at the pool to become very inadequate, while the high standards of modern hygiene called for the installation of up-to-date filtration and sterilisation plant. These considerations caused the urban district council to decide, in view of the lack of space for extension and the uncongenial surroundings of the old pool, to construct a modern open-air pool on a new site.
The new pool
The site has a southerly aspect and is in the centre of open spaces totalling over 43 acres. An area of about two acres, with southern aspect, was appropriated for swimming pool purposes.
A scheme prepared by Mr. W. L. Whittle, the council’s surveyor, was finally approved by the council in 1936, and the sanction of the Ministry of Health having been obtained, work was commenced in 1937.
The construction is in reinforced concrete, walls and floors being lined with pre-cast No. 3 cream ‘Kettastone’ slabs, 2 in. thickness. Broad shallow steps are provided cross the at whole width of the children’s pool at the shallow end to afford easy access.
The main pool, with a capacity of 358,000 gal. of water, is 165 it. by 60 ft. the depths varying from 9 ft. to 3 ft. and allows for a full-size water polo pitch of the required depths. The children’s pool (capacity 22.000 gal.) is 30ft. by 60 ft., the depth varying from 1 ft. 6 in. to 2 ft. 7 in. Both pools have raised copings, 12 in. wide, to prevent, as faras possible. debris getting into the winter.
The diving equipment comprises standard 5 m. board, and firm and springboards at 1 and 3 m. A 10 ft. chute is provided at the main pool and a 5 ft. chute at the children’s pool.
The pool surround is 12 ft. wide, with additional sunbathing space on the south side, and two raised terraces 7 ft. 6 in. wide on the north side of the pool adjoining the cafe terrace, in the centre of which there is an aerator. It is necessary to pass through footbaths of running water in order to gain access to the pool surround.
Ample provision for spectators has been made at each side and end of the pools. Around each end, separating the spectators’ and pool surrounds, are rose beds 6 ft. wide. A pergola has been erected at the east end of the pool and will, when covered with the climbing roses and clematis which have been planted, provide a partial shade for spectators.
The buildings are situated on the north side of the cafe terrace, the central block containing cafe kitchen, superintendent’s and pay offices, and clothes repositories.
In the wings on each side of the main block are 57 dressing cubicles for each sex. In addition, there are changing rooms for children to accommodate 45 of each sex, all with contingent lavatory, etc., accommodation. Clothes storage is on the “Hyg-gard-all” system (installed by Mr, James Sieber. London), and 316 hangers are provided for each sex. The total can be increased to over 800 without alteration. Tepid showers and foot sprays are provided and footbaths through which it is necessary for bathers to pass in order to enter the pool.
The exterior of the buildings has been carried out in “Suntone” bricks with reconstructed architectural stone dressings, the roofs being of russet brown and green mottled tiles.
The filtration and sterilisation plant is housed at the west end of the pool, The filtration plant is capable of turning over the total contents (380,000 gal.) in six hours, and comprises two 9 ft. diameter vertical filters by Messrs. Turn-Over Filter Co., Ltd. Belfast, two centrifugal pumping sets, directly coupled, driven by electric motors of 13 b.h.p. and 7 b.h.p. respectively, which can be operated independently or simultaneously as desired.
The outlet from the main pool is in the form of a 10 in. diameter cast iron pipe laid across the full width in which are graduated perforations, which ensures an even pull over the whole width of the pool. The outlet from the children’s pool is a similar pipe of 8 in. diameter.
Ozone apparatus, constructed and erected by P.M. Engineering Dept. (Active Oxygen, Ltd.), London, comprises two ozone generators, each of nine rows of generating elements, totally enclosed in sheet steel casings. Ozone is injected into floor of the pool by two rotary blowers. each directly coupled to 1 and one half b.h.p. motor and delivered via three quarter in. diameter header pipes and one quarter in. jet tubes.
Plant is housed at the west end of the pool in a separate building, eaves being brought forward to form a shelter. No heating apparatus is proposed at the present time, but connections and space are provided so that installation can easily be effected if desired in the future.
Accommodation for 55 cars and racks for 100 cycles are provided at the front of the main buildings.
The contract price was £15,104 (including £2,300 filtration plant) and the cost of land £1,344.
Members of the South Midland District of the Institution of Municipal and County Engineers recently visited this pool and there was general approval expressed of the scheme.
