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 (Welsh: Pwll Nofio'r Gymanwlad), also known as the Empire Pool, was a famous swimming pool in Cardiff, Wales. It was built in 1958 and torn down in 1998. This pool was a very important part of the 1958 British Empire and Commonwealth Games.
Contents
Why Was the Empire Pool Built?
Even in the 1930s, people thought a new swimming pool was needed in Cardiff. A good spot was found on Wood Street. This area was right next to Cardiff Arms Park, a major sports stadium.
However, building the pool didn't happen right away. It only became a reality when Cardiff was chosen to host the 1958 British Empire and Commonwealth Games. The city needed a top-notch swimming facility for the event.
Who Designed the Empire Pool?
The Wales Empire Pool was seen as a great example of modernist architecture in Cardiff. This style uses simple shapes and clean lines. The building looked similar to the Royal Festival Hall in London.
D. M. Davies is often credited as the designer. Some believe he was inspired by Peter Behrens' 1910 AEG turbine factory. However, the Royal Institute of British Architects says John Dryburgh designed it. He was the City Architect from 1957 to 1974. Oscar Faber, a well-known engineer, designed the pool's structure using reinforced concrete.
When Did the Pool Open?
Work on the new pool started in January 1956. The building was finished and opened on April 18, 1958. This was just two months before the Empire Games began. The Lord Mayor of Cardiff, J. H. Morgan, officially opened the pool.
The City Council was not sure about paying for the new 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 made a profit of £37,000.
What Facilities Did the Empire Pool Have?
The main feature of the Empire Pool was its large swimming pool. It was designed for international competitions. The pool was 55 yards (about 50 meters) long and 20 yards (about 18 meters) wide. It had different depths, from 3 feet to 16 feet, and diving boards.
There were 1,722 permanent seats for people to watch events. Besides the main pool, the building also had other useful facilities. These included a special therapeutic bath, Victorian-style Turkish baths, and rooms for physiotherapy. There were also hot showers, a restaurant, and a big reception area.
How Did the Pool Change 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 new teaching pool was added. This smaller pool was created for school children to learn how to swim. Winifred Mathias, who was the Lord Mayor of Cardiff at the time, opened this new teaching pool.
Why Was the Empire Pool Demolished?
The Empire Pool was torn down in June 1998. This was to make space for the new Millennium Stadium. The stadium is a very large sports and concert venue.
After the pool was demolished, there was a big shortage of 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.
