Last swims - for a while

Ivan Gamble, of Mosgiel, learned to swim in the Mosgiel Pool, and still goes there  regularly....
Ivan Gamble, of Mosgiel, learned to swim in the Mosgiel Pool, and still goes there regularly. PHOTO: PETER MCINTOSH
Site foreman Peter Penita puts the finishing touches on the concrete work for the roof at the...
Site foreman Peter Penita puts the finishing touches on the concrete work for the roof at the Mosgiel pool in 1984. PHOTO: OTAGO DAILY TIMES
Swimmers enjoy the Mosgiel pool in the summer of 1969. PHOTO: EVENING STAR
Swimmers enjoy the Mosgiel pool in the summer of 1969. PHOTO: EVENING STAR
Children braved the elements at an uncovered Mosgiel pool for decades before a roof was added....
Children braved the elements at an uncovered Mosgiel pool for decades before a roof was added. This picture shows youngsters having fun there in 1972. PHOTO: EVENING STAR
Crowds attend the opening day of the Taieri Swimming Club’s new baths in December 1937. PHOTO:...
Crowds attend the opening day of the Taieri Swimming Club’s new baths in December 1937. PHOTO: EVENING STAR

Heating the Mosgiel pool back in the 1960s was a huge improvement, but it will be nothing on a new pool, a long-time swimmer says.

Ivan Gamble is sad the 84-year-old pool will close this weekend, but he understands the need for a new one.

The 77-year-old learned to swim in the Mosgiel pool, which opened in December 1937.

The pool was heated in 1967, and covered in 1984.

It will close today and be demolished to make way for a new $15million all-year-round pool, construction of which is due to begin mid-year.

It is scheduled to open in late 2022.

The council is hosting a final party at the pool today to mark its closure.

Mr Gamble recalled gathering at the pool after school as a child, and said it was a popular space for teenagers to meet and flirt with each other.

Sometimes the water would be so dirty that he could swim down and write his name in the algae, he said.

He remembered when the pool was heated in 1967, what he called a "big improvement."

"It was a bit cold in winter."

A lot of elderly people enjoyed the pool, and the improvements would make a big difference for them.

While he had enjoyed the pool, he understood the need for the new facility.

"It will be a boon for the community."

It was a bit of a shame Mosgiel would not have a swimming pool for a while, he said.

Mosgiel Community Board chairwoman Joy Davis said the new pool would be wonderful for the community.

The present pool was not big enough, lacked accessibility and was in need of an upgrade.

"People have been waiting a long time for this."

wyatt.ryder@odt.co.nz

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