Refreshed Parnell Baths stay true to popular 1950s look

By CATHY ARONSON

The revamped candy-coloured Parnell Baths are back in business.

The Auckland pools reopened at the weekend following a $4.2 million spruce-up, the first in 45 years for the baths, which opened in 1914.

The new look has been done in the popular style of the 1950s renovation, which was designed to create the "Lido" atmosphere of a glamorous seafront bathing resort.

The baths are among the largest saltwater pools in the Southern Hemisphere, with a 60m-long main pool.

As part of the revamp, three 25m swimming lanes have been added to the main pool. The complex now includes a main pool and a children's fun pool with an aquatic playground, which children happily tried out yesterday.

A new toddler's pool and adult and child spas are also welcome additions, as are yellow and red licks of paint, plastic loungers, new lawns, pohutukawa for shelter and a new cafe.

The mosaic of athletic swimmers on the outside of the changing rooms has been restored, also in the style of the 1950s redevelopment, at a cost of $62,000.

Less obvious but more costly are the $1.5 million of new pipes and filters required to meet water quality and health and safety standards.

The revamp was nearly delayed and the pools threatened with closure last year while the Auckland City Council considered demolishing them for the proposed eastern highway.

A petition signed by 6800 people helped save the baths.

At the opening on Saturday, Auckland Mayor John Banks said the fact the council had spent so much on the renovations meant the baths were there to stay. "To keep the heart and soul of the city Auckland needs to keep places like this, " he said.