By BERNARD ORSMAN
The historic Parnell Baths are reopening on January 25 in the candy colours of the 1950s with a modern twist.
A favourite with swimmers, the baths are being revamped for the first time in 45 years by the Auckland City Council at a cost of $4.2 million.
Public pressure
and a petition signed by 6800 people this year forced the council to back down from delaying the revamp until it knew whether the baths would be demolished to make way for the proposed eastern highway.
The revamp is in keeping with the major redevelopment of the 1950s - heralded at the time by local and international architects as a significant modern design.
The development was intended to create a "Lido" atmosphere of a glamorous seafront bathing resort.
The baths opened in 1914.
The famous mosaic mural of trim, athletic swimmers is returning to the outside of the changing room buildings after $62,000 of repairs.
The mural's message of health, energy and fun had been dimmed by the ravages of weather, vandals and neglect. Hundreds of lost and damaged coloured glass chips have been replaced or repaired.
The mural, designed by artist James Turkington in 1957, is thought to have been influenced by a Henri Matisse work, The Swimming Pool.
The two parts - male figures along the wall of the male changing rooms, female figures along the female changing rooms - is due to go back in place in two weeks.
The baths are the largest saltwater pools in the Southern Hemisphere. The main pool is 60m long.
The pool has been divided into a main fitness pool and a children's lido fun pool with an aquatic playground featuring a tunnel, slide and water cannon. A new toddler's pool and adult and child spas are other additions.
For swimmers who find 60m a stretch, the council has added three 25m lanes.
The popular plastic loungers are staying, new lawns laid, pohutukawa planted for shelter and a 1950s style kiosk/cafe has been built in the original 1950s candy colours of butter yellow and red.
One of the biggest changes is the least visible - $1.5 million of new pipes, filters and other equipment to meet water quality, health and safety standards and ensure minimal maintenance costs over the next 10 years.
The council hopes to boost summer attendance by 20,000 to around 75,000.
The baths will open at 1.30pm on January 25, Auckland Anniversary Weekend, and entry will be free.
By BERNARD ORSMAN
The historic Parnell Baths are reopening on January 25 in the candy colours of the 1950s with a modern twist.
A favourite with swimmers, the baths are being revamped for the first time in 45 years by the Auckland City Council at a cost of $4.2 million.
Public pressure
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