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43
6th October, 1900. Under the provisions of the London
Government Act, the powers and duties of the Baths and
Washhouses Commissioners and of the Wandsworth Vestry
were transferred to the Wandsworth Borough Council,
and at the first meeting of the Council after its constitution
a Baths and Wash-houses Committee was appointed
to carry on the work of the Commissioners. Rapid progress
was made with the building, in order that the baths
might be opened during the summer, and the baths were
formally opened by the Mayor 011 the 6th July, when
an entertainment consisting of swimming competitions,
&c., was given, in the presence of a large number of
residents. The baths were opened to the public on
the 8th July, and have been used by an average number
of 4,150 bathers per week.
The First Class Swimming Bath is 100 feet long by
30 feet wide; there are 60 dressing boxes so arranged
that they can be folded back against the walls. A
gallery has been constructed round the four sides of the
bath, providing accommodation for about 300 persons.
The Second Class Swimming Bath is 85 feet by
30 feet, and there are 72 dressing boxes. The water
is at present taken from the Company's main into each
swimming bath and also to a large tank over the
laundry, but an artesian well is being sunk at the
back of the site, from which it is hoped a sufficient
quantity of water will be obtained to supply all the
requirements of the baths.
The baths are lighted by electricity throughout,
supplied at present by the County of London and Brush
Provincial Electric Lighting Company, but provision is
being made for generating the electricity on the premises.
The architects were Messrs. Spalding & Spalding,
and the builder, Mr. Walter Wallis.