Lord Forrest Olympic Pool

Statement of Significance

"'demonstration of a way of life, custom, process or function *social significance The social implications of a swimming pool in the middle of the goldfields desert, are of great significance. The pool amenity in the goldfields capital offered recreation, entertainment, and relief from the heat to generations of goldfields residents and visitors . The pool offered new options to the sports people in the region. Historical *historical significance of development of cultural phases; association with important figures The pool was named after Lord Forrest who was the Premier of the state when C.Y.O' Connor's pipeline bought water to the Goldfields. The Olympic pool symbolised a modernity which would bring country Kalgoorlie in line with other cities in the world. The transportation of the water through hundreds of kilometres of pipeline into the desert was an integral part of the vision of modernism. The notion of bathing and sunbathing was seen as symbolic of Kalgoorlie in the Twentieth Century. The architect was William Bennett, a respected and prolific architect of the period who undertook considerable work in the country regions. Aesthet ic *architectural/ technical accomplishment *environmental importance; townscape or landscape value; high degree of unity of setting The pool buildings are typical of the regional style of modernism which evolved in Bennett's work . The modernist aesthetic was appropriate to the symbolic image of the Olympic pool. The modern image of the pool enhances the streetscape. The domestic scale of the pool buildings harmonises with the scale of the area in which it is situated Sc ient if ic *scientific I archaeological importance The technology was at the forefront of the time. Due to the extensive numbers of people, precious water, and exemplary health standards , the same water was used continuously , being treated, purified and circulated. Rarity and Representativeness *scarcity value; a particularly fine (or unique) example The Lord Forrest Olympic Pool was contempora neously the finest Olympic size pool in the state of Western Australia and most significant pool in the goldfields. The Lord Forrest Olympic Pool represents an age of modernity in the country area of Western Australia. It represents a country town at the forefront , in pace with the rest of the world. It represents a vision for the future of Kalgoorlie

Physical Description

The pool provided a desirable amenity for the goldfields capital offering a new option to the sports people in the region and recreation and entertainment for the people of the Goldfields , not to mention relief from the heat. The development consisted of contingent buildings being , main entrance, kiosk , cubicles, grandstands for 750 people, caretaker's quarters and a meeting room, the Olympic pool, with diving platform, wading pool and surrounds . Construction was of concrete and the buildings were of concrete and brick with smooth surface treatment in off white. Materials and workmanship were of the highest quality, only the best high grade material was used and consequently, first class workmen to install it. The Main entrance to the pool complex, situated on the corner, is an articulated feature, addressing the corner in a manner typical of the art deco architecture of the 1930's. William G. Bennett was a prolific and popular exponent of the moderne art deco style, designing buildings in the country and the city which culminated in a regional style which is apparent in the Lord Forrest Olympic Pool,(also evident in St Mary's church Hall and The Raffles)This moderne style is further typified in the horizontal incised banding of the off white coloured render finish walls (also apparent in the afore mentioned examples), creating a streamlined effect and emphasising the horizontality which is further accentuated by the central stepped parapet and the strong band that 1inks the entire entry facade, punctuated only by the flag poles at each end. The parapet also serves as a feature space to advertise the name and function of the building which is in a stylized lettering typical of the period . Moving away from the entry to the buildings either side of it. they are of a relatively domestic nature being one level, hipped tiled roof and with the horizontality further emphasised by bands of windows. The apparent symmetry of the entrance is counteracted by the diagonal siting of the building in such a way that it addresses MacDonald Street more directly than Cassidy Street. (The remainder of Commonwealth Park is on the MacDonald street boundary of the Pool complex) The horizontal aspects of the entrance are contrasted by the articulation of vertical elements, the distinctive moderne square columns in the centre entry space which is further enhanced by the octagonal columns at the perimeter of the space, the recessed vertical windows, (one either side of the entry openings)and the ziggurat parapets above each window with the flagpole, typical of the period, and drawing further attention to the entry, attached to a vertical extension of the windows, which at that point diverts the horizontal banding into vertical either side of the flagpole. Set back from the entry facade on either side is the office areas where the tiled hip roof is visible (no pediment), no incised banding, but the windows continue the setback and verticality of those on the entry.

History

Assessment 1995 Construction 1938 The question of chlorination and filtration of the Kalgoorl ie Municipal Baths had occupied the attention of the council from 1925 until 1936 when the Health Inspector returned from an eastern states holiday with estimates and costs on new systems. In March 1937 it was recommended that up to date systems be installed in a new baths as a benefit to health , particularly of the younger generation. The existing baths site of Victoria Park was unsuitable for the new development, so the site of Commonwealth Park was chosen . Members of the Chamber of Mines suggested that mining interests may wish to join . the Municipality in making Commonwealth Park an extensive beauty spot . Negotiations held up the proposal for some time and finally met with a rejection from the mining interests. The Kalgoorlie Olympic Pool was the State of Western Australia 's f inest Olympic Swimming Pool and is a typical example of the regional style of modernism which evolved in W. G . Bennett 's work in the prosperous years from the mid to late 1930 ' s and mirrored at the time, the new found confidence resulting from the upturn of the economy. By an overwhelming majority , the ratepayers of Kalgoorlie refused to censure the Kalgoorlie Municipal Council development plans, despite an extremely conservative element opposing the erection of any pool in the goldf ields. The modified pool which eventuated after a protracted row , is a classic case of regionalism , Bennett 's original plan was likened to a Spanish Bullf ight , but was nevertheless ahead o it ' s time. Similar visionaries to those in 1938, who were trying to introduce aspects which symbolised and expressed the modernity which would bring Kalgoorlie in line with the outside world , were met with local resistance. The transporting of water through a pipeline , hundreds of kilometres into the desert and using it f or a swimming pool was an important part of the vision of modernism and also gave credence to the notion of bathing and sunbathing and was seen as symbolic of bringing Kalgoorlie into the 20th century . The relatively domestic scale of the building could be attributed to the entrepreneurial skills of Lance Brisbane a f ormer salesman of Wunderlich Co . , who promoted the idea that the "traditional f amily house" was required to be built of double br ick and Marseilles tiles, and the notion that a public building in a pr ivate housing area lowered the tone of the area . The Mayor of Kalgoorlie, R .G.Taylor , opened the pool on Christmas eve in 1938 . Due to the expected large crowds, the public was asked to have the correct change f or the turnstiles, admission was 6 pence for adults and three pence f or children , and towels and bathers were for hire . The mayoress chose the staff uniforms of cream and green to tone with the interior colour scheme of the entrance . set at the Lord Forrest Pool , which were technologically and scientifically advanced at the time .Prior to using the pool , patrons must go through a warm shower as they step into the foot bath of treated water , The water for the pool comes f rom the town 's main supply into the pool , once full , the same water is used continuously , being thoroughly treated , purified and circulated . The Olympic sized swimming pool (165 ft x 60 ft) was planned to conform with conditions laid down by the Amateur swimming Union of Austral ia which is affiliated with the Internationale de Natation Amateur

Uses

Historic Themes

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