New Brighton Open Air Pool

This huge pool had a number of supporting buildings including six shops and a drying room for people that had fallen into the pool by accident.

In February 1935, Baths and Baths Engineering reported that improvement works, at an estimated cost of £2,738, was being carried out at the bathing pool. The work includes the provision of 28 additional dressing cubicles and 200 additional lockers, additional under-water lighting, a verandah shelter for spectators, floodlighting of cafe canopy and certain parts of the administrative buildings.

Feature article from Baths and Bath Engineering, April 1934

The New Brighton Bathing Pool for the County Borough of Wallasey.

SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE POOL TOGETHER WITH FILTRATION PLANT AND ADMINISTRATIVE BUILDINGS.

Occupying a position to the west of the Marine Lake and immediately opposite Marine Park, the new open-air bathing pool is now approaching completion and has been designed to face due south so that maximum sunshine and shelter will be obtained.

The pool has been constructed of mass concrete with the floor reinforced with steel mesh and expansion joints have been provided of asphalt in the floor and walls. During construction, the diving area was enclosed by steel sheet piling which was left in after concreting. The side walls for about half the length were supported on reinforced concrete piles, 14 in. by 14 in. at 12 ft. 6 in. centres.

The area of the pool is approximately 6,500 sq. yd., the extreme length 330 ft., and the maximum width 225 ft.

The special championship area on the south side is 165 ft. long (32 laps to one mile) by 60 ft. wide and the central portion of the pool for general swimming is 330 ft. (16 laps to one mile) by 60 ft.

On the north side is the shallower area, 330 ft. long by a maximum width of 105 ft. The maximum depth is 15 ft., in the diving area, and the depth at the north side of the shallow area is nil, so that bathers can walk down an artificial sloping beach into the water. The average depth over the central area is about 5 ft.

The pool contains 1 3/8 million gal. of pure sea water which will be constantly changed, purified, filtered, and chemically treated at the rate of over 172,000 gal. per hour.

As a regular supply of water is available from the Marine Lake, which acts as a huge storage and settlement tank, it is possible (if necessary for cleansing and scrubbing down purposes) to empty the pool at night and refill ready for the following morning.

The Marine Lake itself can be filled from the sea during the bathing season by one tide in three on the average so that there is no likelihood of a shortage of water.

Filtration and Turnover.

As regards filtration and turnover: – Three open rapid gravity filters have been constructed, each 20 ft. 6 in. long by 14 ft. wide with non-corrosive fittings, valves, outlet control, etc., and filled with Leighton Buzzard sand 3 ft. deep.

The total filter area equals 861 sq. ft., and the rate of filtration is 200 gal. per sq. ft. hour, the turnover period being eight hours at 172,000 gal. per hour.

The plant includes all the usual up-to-date chemical tanks, aerator, ammoniator, chlorinator, air compressor and electric motor for aeration, ditto for agitating filter bed and duplicate 30 b.h.p. centrifugal pumps and electric motors for pumping water from the lake or pool to the filters or from the pool to the lake.

From the filters the pure sea water gravitates to the pool through an ornamental cascade fitted with an electric booster pump and jets under separate valve control. Six other pure water inlets are arranged round the pool all controlled by valves.

The water is pumped from the deep end of the pool through three 18 in. diameter outlets connected to the 24 in. diameter suction pipe leading to the duplicate 30 b.h.p. pumps.

The pool can also be emptied by an 18 in. diameter pipe connected to the sewer. All the circulating pipes to and from the pool are cement lined cast iron pipes with turned and bored joints and as far as possible all materials which would be corroded by the action of sea water have been eliminated.

A 10 m. (32 ft. 6 in.) regulation standard high diving stage has been fixed with intermediate stages, suitable for international diving competitions, also separate springboards, double chutes for adults and children and eleven ladders of stainless steel fixed to the side walls of the pool.

Under-water lighting is provided for by twelve special electric lamps fixed in a duct at the deep end of the pool and above water flood lights have also been arranged.

General Description of Bath Buildings.

The shape of the Pool together with certain site restrictions and method of administration, have more or less determined the general lay-out of the buildings in connection with the scheme.

It will be noted from an inspection of the general lay-out plan that the buildings are arranged at pavement level and totally enclose the site, this arrangement provides the maximum protection from the prevailing winds which at times blow with gale force from between west and north-west.

As the whole of the site occupies the reclaimed seashore it was necessary to fill up to the required building levels with sand filling which, when consolidated, forms a good foundation.

Unfortunately, dry sand suitable for filling purposes has not been readily available, and thousands of tons were imported to the site from the nearest available sandhill.

Considerable difficulty is usually experienced on exposed sites when dry sand filling is used, as during windy weather the finished formation levels are continually affected necessitating constant checking and relevelling.

To overcome this difficulty much of the concrete slab work together with the concrete stepping forming spectator tiers was proceeded with at an early stage and during quiet weather and this particular difficulty was largely overcome.

Considerable thought was devoted to the question as to the most suitable material with which to construct the buildings, having in view the cost of maintenance, durability, fire resisting properties, speed of construction, use of local labour and materials.

The conclusion arrived at was that reinforced concrete satisfied all the requirements and further that its use would enable the elevations and scheme generally to be carried out in accordance with the modern trend in architecture.

The main foundations under all buildings consist of a 5 in. reinforced concrete raft thickened out at the edges and under all points where supporting walls or point loads occur.

The walls and roofs are similarly constructed in reinforced concrete averaging 4 ½ in. in thickness.

As the structures consist largely of dressing boxes and public conveniences, having long continuous corridors running through them with fiat roofs, it was necessary to divide the buildings into bays. These bays are spanned by deep concrete beams in order to tie in the walls of structures and suitable reinforced concrete piers are arranged supporting each beam resting on foundations carried down beneath the main raft level.

The beams and piers thus formed constitute reinforced concrete frames upon which the strength of the structures largely depend.

This principle has· been employed throughout the construction of the buildings.

The roofs of all buildings are fiat, formed in reinforced concrete, together with parapet walls; flats are covered with rock asphalt which is turned up against the parapet walls.

The general keynote of the scheme is simplicity, the whole of the external walls are rendered in ” Snowcrete ” Portland cement with the addition of white or yellow Leighton Buzzard sand in order to give variety to the colour scheme.

A black faience skirting having a matt texture is arranged as a base round all buildings whilst pea-green faience bands and copings introduced in the balconies and parapets and forming continuous bands round the structures help to introduce a little gaiety into the scheme.

The windows are in steel formed in long horizontal panes having generously proportioned sash bars.

In order to follow the general lay-out it is essential to appreciate the proposed method of administration as this has been an important factor in the general design.

Bathing and sunbathing have increased in popularity in recent years to such proportions that special hygienic methods and systems of control are imperative in order to safeguard the health of the vast numbers of the public interested in the pastime.

The sole public access to the bath is by way of the main entrance block on the south side of the bath.

This block consists of administrative offices, comprising manager’s office, general office, central pay boxes and turnstiles, mess rooms for male and female attendants, male and female competitors’ dressing boxes flanked on each side by three lock-up shops, the total over-all length of the block, including shops, being over 238 ft.

A manager ‘s apartments and committee room are arranged on the first floor of this block, the quarters provided for the manager consisting of a living room, kitchen, bathroom and three bedrooms, together with the usual offices.

The committee room leads to a large balcony overlooking the deep diving and competition section of the bath.

The shops on the ground floor will be of the lock-up type and are intended to cater for the requirements of both swimmers and spectators. They are arranged with shop fronts to both the promenade front and the bath enclosure.

The public will pay for admission at the main entrance turnstiles and if wishing to bathe will proceed round the promenade (which is elevated approximately 9 ft. 6 in. above the water level) to the entrances of either the ladies’ or gentlemen’s dressing boxes, where turnstiles will again have to be negotiated and the difference paid for bathing, towels, costumes, etc.

Bathers will be given tickets which must be presented at the towel-issuing office; tickets will be stamped and returned together with wrist bands numbered to correspond with the lockers occupying the centre of the corridor.

Having secured towels and bathing costumes, bathers enter the main apartment housing the dressing boxes and lockers which is a comparatively lofty structure (12 ft. 6 in. high) arranged so as to derive the maximum sunlight, “Glasscrete“ panels are  inserted in the roof and large horizontal steel windows in the walls give efficient lighting  and ventilation.

Bathers will then undress in the dressing boxes and after donning their costumes will place their clothes in the numbered lockers corresponding with the numbered wrist bands issued to them, and after securely locking the doors will then proceed down the staircases to the basement, which is arranged slightly above the bath surround level.

Special foot sprays and showers are provided in the basement whilst the floor of the exit to bath is so arranged that each bather must perforce pass through an ankle-deep water splash before entering the bath.

Every precaution has been taken to prevent pollution of the bath water by the introduction of a post and rope barrier round the bath surround from which non-bathers will be rigidly excluded.

Conveniences are centrally arranged for the use of bathers.

The dressing boxes are constructed of timber framework having asbestos sheet divisions with flush panelled doors.

The lockers are constructed in two tiers with asbestos sheet divisions.

The scheme provides for 108 dressing boxes for ladies and 820 lockers: 148 dressing boxes for gentlemen and 1,084 lockers, and accommodation for 10,000 spectators.

The cafe and kitchen occupy a central position between the ladies’ and gentlemen’s dressing boxes. Access to the cafe is by way of a raised terrace at the dressing box and promenade level.

The cafe is a two-storey structure 90 ft. 8 in. long and 37 ft. 10 in. in width, of modern design, embodying the use of concrete balconies and canopies cantilevered out from the main walls. Large steel windows are provided affording good lighting and generous views both towards the bath and sea on the promenade side. In the central feature facing the bath a modern electric clock is provided.

The ground floor of the cafe consists of a large room with wood block floor, having two double door openings leading on to a terrace overlooking the bath. At the west end of the cafe, ladies’ and gentlemen’s conveniences are provided, and at the east end a large up-to-date kitchen complete with staff mess room, larder, stores, open yard, and staff conveniences.

Suitable gas and electric services are provided for operating the most recent cooking appliances.

Communication between the kitchen and café on first floor will be provided by means of two electric service lifts.

A flight of stairs at the east and west ends of the cafe provide access to the cafe on first floor. The centre portion of this cafe consists of an open well 54 ft. long and 16 ft. wide enabling music or other entertainments to be enjoyed on both floors simultaneously.

The ceiling of the upper cafe is provided with large segmental ” Glasscrete ” roof lights in addition to the steel windows in walls which renders both upper and lower cafe’s bright and cheerful.

Doors are provided leading to balconies both on the sea and bath side of the cafe, also to the flat roofs over dressing boxes.

The pump house, filters, bath stores, meter house and electricity sub-station are arranged at the southeast corner of the site.

The structure is designed to harmonise as far as possible with the remainder of the bath buildings.

A first aid department is provided to deal with any casualties which may occur either on the bath’s premises, Marine Lake, or adjacent seashore.

Two wards are provided each large enough for two beds for male and female patients also a bathroom and drying chamber for drying people’s clothing after accidental immersion, etc.

Two large blocks of conveniences are provided on the bath premises for the use of spectators.

It is anticipated that the opening of the new bath, together with the amenities provided by the Marine Lake and promenade extensions generally will attract a very large number of visitors to New Brighton.

Two large blocks of public lavatories with large shelter, etc., have, therefore, been provided on each side of the main entrance block. The ladies block is provided with a mother’s room where babies and young· children can be attended to, also a parcels office where luggage or light articles can be left in the care of an attendant.

The two lavatory blocks will be administered separately to the bath but incorporated in the general scheme in harmony with the bath buildings.

The bath surrounds, spectators’ tiers, and promenades are constructed in reinforced concrete the surrounds being finished with a non-slipping indented surface and the promenades with coloured cement and green granite.

The raised terraces and spectators’ tiers are flagged with buff concrete flagging, upon   which solid teak seats provided with backs are arranged.

A teak post and rope barrier will form a line of demarcation between the bath surround and space allotted to spectators; this measure helps materially in keeping the bath water clean.

An ornamental fountain cascade forms a central feature in front of the cafe. At the bath surround level, the fountain will be formed in concrete lined with coloured concrete and faience work.

The approximate cost of the work is as follows: –

Total amount of tender for bath buildings   £57,752

Add tender for engineering work                       £31,385

Total estimated cost of bathing pool              £89,137

Mr. L. St. G. Wilkinson, M.Sc., M.Inst.C.E., was responsible for the design of the pool and we are indebted to him for the foregoing notes.

Mr. J. Finlay is the baths superintendent for the Borough of Wallasey.