Wales Empire Pool facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Wales Empire Pool |
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Pwll Nofio'r Gymanwlad
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| General information | |
| Type | Swimming Pool building |
| Address | Wood Street |
| Town or city | Cardiff |
| Country | Wales |
| Coordinates | 51°28′37″N 3°10′55″W / 51.4770°N 3.1820°W |
| Construction started | January 1956 |
| Opened | 18 April 1958 |
| Demolished | June 1998 |
| Cost | £650,000 |
| Client | Cardiff City Council |
| Technical details | |
| Structural system | Reinforced concrete on steel frame |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | D.M.Davies/J. Dryburgh |
The Wales Empire Pool, also known as the Empire Pool, was a famous swimming pool in Cardiff, Wales. It was built in 1958 and was a very important part of the 1958 British Empire and Commonwealth Games. This amazing pool was used for many years until it was taken down in 1998.
Contents
Building the Empire Pool for the Games
Even in the 1930s, people thought a new swimming pool would be great for Wood Street in Cardiff. But the idea didn't become real until Cardiff was chosen to host the 1958 British Empire and Commonwealth Games. The pool was built right next to Cardiff Arms Park, which was the main stadium for the Games.
Modern Design and Architects
The Empire Pool was seen as one of the first examples of modernist architecture in Cardiff. Its design was similar to the Royal Festival Hall in London. D. M. Davies is believed to have designed it. Some think he was inspired by a factory built in 1910. However, the Royal Institute of British Architects credits John Dryburgh, the City Architect, with the design. The building's structure was designed by Oscar Faber, who was famous for using reinforced concrete.
Opening the Pool
Work on the new pool started in January 1956. It was finished and opened on April 18, 1958, by J. H. Morgan, the Lord Mayor of Cardiff. This was just two months before the Empire Games began. The City Council wasn't sure about paying for the pool at first. But they agreed when they were told, "No Pool – No Games." The pool cost £650,000 to build. The 1958 Empire Games actually made a profit of £37,000!
What Was Inside the Empire Pool?
The main feature of the Empire Pool was its international standard swimming pool. It was 55 yards long and 20 yards wide. The depth changed from 3 feet to 16 feet, and it had diving boards. There were 1,722 seats for people to watch the swimming events.
Other Cool Features
Besides the main pool, the Empire Pool had other great facilities. There was a special therapeutic bath called an Aeratone™. It also had Victorian Turkish baths, rooms for physiotherapy, hot showers, a restaurant, and a big reception area.
Changes Over Time
In 1970, the main pool was made shorter to 50 meters. This was done to meet new international swimming standards. Later, in 1973, a special teaching pool was added for school children. Winifred Mathias, who was the Lord Mayor of Cardiff, opened this new pool.
Why the Empire Pool Was Demolished
The Empire Pool was taken down in June 1998. This was to make room for the new Millennium Stadium. After the pool was gone, there weren't enough swimming places in South Wales. To fix this, a new Wales National Pool opened in Swansea in 2003. Cardiff also got a new pool, the £32 million Cardiff International Pool. It opened in Cardiff Bay in February 2008.
See also
- List of Commonwealth Games venues
