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14
Public Baths and Laundry Services
The Baths Superintendent, Mr. P.E. Lusher, B.E.M., has kindly supplied the following
report on the public baths and laundry services.
Establishments
CENTRAL BATHS; Opened 1904 2 Swimming Baths, 100 ft. x 35 ft.
75 ft. x 25 ft.
34 Private Baths
Municipal Hall
EstabHshment Laundry
THE LJDOj Opened 1937 Open Air Pool 165 ft. x 75 ft.
Restaurant
CONWAY ROAD BATHS Opened 1926 18 Private Baths
BROMLEY ROAD Opened 1932 Public Laundry
14 Private Baths
TIVERTON ROAD Opened 1932 Public Laundry
22 Private Baths
Indoor Swimming Baths
Swimming as a recreational facility has achieved considerable popularity in recent years,
in fact the demand now exceeds the accommodation available during hot summer months.
Indoor bathing in Tottenham is provided at the Central Baths only. There is a large
swimming pool, 100 ft. x 35 ft., and a small pool 75 ft. x 25 ft.
In common with most baths of the period (1904) these were never designed to cope with the
present demand. Whereas the pool dimensions are adequate for day to day use, dressing room
accommodation is extremely limited.
Notable improvements have been, and are, taking place in the large pool which is converted
to a public hall in the winter months. Such improvements are provided for in an ambitious
modernisation project.
Excessive noise by children in swimming pools discourages adults from attending indoor
pools. This was an important factor overlooked by the designers of fifty years ago. Now that
the first phase of the Central Baths modernisation project is completed the reverberation factor
has been reduced considerably. A major item of the first phase was the new ceiling works.
The entire ceiling has been cased and sprayed with an acoustical material which will absorb
sound and also reduce condensation to a minimum.
The second phase of the modernisation project includes a heating and ventilating system
which will overcome all these defects and maintain comfortable conditions within the hall at all
times.
New collapsable cubicles are also scheduled to be installed during the current year and
the materials employed will obviate the necessity of periodical redecoration.
Vertical stainless steel steps have been installed to afford access to and from the pool
thus replacing the cumbersome wooden steps which had the disadvantage of obstructing competitors
at aquatic functions and also required annual maintenance in respect of repairs and painting.
A tubular steel diving stage, designed and constructed by the Department, has been installed
also a springboard which is easily removable when not required.