Pemberton Swimming Pool

Statement of Significance

The Pemberton Pool has cultural heritage significance for the following reasons: Pemberton Pool is considered rare as it was constructed entirely with the support of the local community through public subscriptions and volunteers, with no government assistance. Surrounded by a natural forest setting and grassed area, Pemberton Pool is an aesthetically pleasing and attractive area. The place has been a popular recreational site since 1929 and historicaJly has very high social value as demonstrated by the success of community events and memberships which enabled the pool to remain open and be maintained and upgraded.

Physical Description

Pemberton Pool was formed by damming Lefroy Brook. It has concrete sides and bottom and ranges from 0.5m to 5m, with separate, shallower areas for children. Set amongst natural forest, the pool is bound on one side by a grassed picnic area which includes a gravel car park off Swimming Pool Road, as well as combined kiosk and change rooms in a brick and corrugated iron building. There is also an undercover bbq area constructed of timber logs, corrugated iron roof and paving. There are native trees scattered through this grassed area while on the other side is a steep incl ine with dense vegetation and tracks running through it. There is a small wooden jetty on the west side which includes the mechanism for draining the pool. The water actually flows under a concrete bridge near the rear of the pool, but movement is not great and the quality of the water is not known. There are two metal ladders at the edge of the pool including one on a concrete area which extends into a deeper part of the water.

History

Assessment 2007 Construction 1928/29 Pembe1ion Pool was funded through public subscriptions from the local community in 1928 to provide a facility that the whole community could enjoy. From the start, the Pool was hugely popular and was a centre point for the town. The Pool was initially managed by the volunteer assistance of Mr C. A. Glew and Dr G. Abbot but when they left the town, the facility was neglected. It was not until 1937 that the Swimming Pool Board was established . The elected officers set the entry fees, coordinated maintenance, planned upgrades and organised events such as the annual Swimming Carnivals which were a huge success. The Carnivals were attended by almost 1500 people including local and visiting competitors, the State Diving Troupe and members the community and other visitors. Pemberton Pool and the area surrounding was declared a National Park in July 1928 (Gazette No. 1735). Over time, the Pemberton Pool had seen many upgrades including grassing of the picnic area, planting and maintenance of the native vegetation, diving structures, concreting of the pool walls and floor and construction of the kiosk and change rooms. The management of the Pool came under the Pemberton National Parks Board in March 1977, along with the nearby Caravan Park. Entry fees were abolished and maintenance was carried out by a caretaker paid for by the government. The Pool and Caravan Park was vested with the Pemberton Visitors Centre on the 25 March 1984. However limited resources lead to the Pool becoming neglected with limited maintenance and upgrades taking place. Recently however, the South West Development Commission, in partnership with the Visitors Centre has led to upgrades such as the installation of a pool fence to meet current insurance requirements and other developments have been planned.

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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