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Swimming Baths and Paddling Pools controlled by the Council
Brentford Indoor Swimming Baths:-
Area 2,430 sq.ft.
Capacity 12,049 c. ft.
Total number of persons using baths in 1958 48,312
Average number per day 147
Maximum number using baths on one day 533
Chiswick Open Air Swimming Pools:-
Large Pool Area 7,500 sq.ft.
Capacity 33,750 c. ft.
Small Pool Area 3,500 sq.ft.
Capacity 18,375 c. ft.
Total number of persons using baths in 1958 81,029
Average number per day 547
Maximum number using baths on one day 2,714
The figures for use of the swimming baths are quite a good indication of
the type of weather prevailing during the summer months, particularly those for
the open-air pool. The summer of 1958 was cold, wet and there was very little
sun, and the drop in use of the pools was considerable.
An interesting fact, however, emerges- that the drop in the open-air swim
ming pools was much less marked than in the indoor pool, 81,029 total in 1958
comparing with 91,981 total in 1957 were in Chiswick, whereas in the Brentford
indoor bath the figures were 48,312 in 1958 as compared with 71,445 in 1957.
This is the lowest figure for Brentford since 1953, but apparently a considerable
amount of the drop was due to the occurrence of a strike of the omnibuses which
lasted for some weeks during the early part of the summer and indeed at the time
when the weather was at its best.
The purification of the water of these pools is by intermittent chlorination
and the amount of free chloride aimed at is 0.6 parts per million. Water
samples are taken daily throughout the season.
Paddling Pools-Duke’s Meadows:-
Area (2 pools each 60" x 60') 7,200 sq.ft.
Depth 6" to 1' in middle
These paddling pools are filled daily from the mains supply and ½ pint of
Chloros is added at each filling.
They are open from approximately 1st April to 30th September each year,
according to weather condition.
Other Facilities in the Borough for Open Air Recreation
Privately owned open spaces and sports grounds 111.71 acres
Council owned open spaces and sports grounds
leased to private clubs etc. 67.94 "
School playing fields 50.50 "
Gunnersbury Park (owned jointly by Acton, Brentford
& Chiswick and Ealing Councils) 186.00 "
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