Marsden Park Open Air Swimming Pool

Nelson’s new open-air pool was located in Marsden Park. It opened on 19^th August 1939. The scheme had cost £7,300 towards which the National Fitness Council had contributed £3,500.

The concrete pool was 100 ft. long by 35 ft. wide and had a diving bay equipped with diving and springboards, and a 40 ft semi-circular area for children and non-swimmers. The pool varies in depth from 4 to 5 ft., with the centre of the diving bay 9 ft. deep.

Small grass plots were laid out round the water area for sun- bathing. The dressing accommodation comprised an apartment for the attendant, a dressing room, cubicles, showers. lavatory and footbath.

A cafe, built of brick, was added shortly after the opening and this had tea rooms and a verandah.

The scheme was designed by F V Alexander, the borough engineer and the work executed by the works department of the corporation.

The pool suffered from a lack of maintenance by the local authority and some of the councillors, supported by local businesses made their own efforts to spruce up the pool, re-laying flagstones surrounding the pool.

It closed in 1999 and was left to deteriorate, surrounded by barbed wire for fours years. The pool was then demolished and there was an intent by the council to plant a pool-shaped feature but this came to nothing and the area was grassed over.