Rossland Swimming Pool

“Fellow Citizens: It is with a great deal of pride and pleasure that we are congregated here this evening to celebrate the opening of this beautiful swimming pool. It is answering a long felt want in this community, and notwithstanding the period of depression, through which I hope we are successfully passing, our dream has become an accomplished fact, due chiefly to the loyalty and devotion of some of our respected citizens. 

“I am not going to endeavor to mention each of those individually, their reward will be, the knowledge of the fact that they have accomplished something for Rossland and Rossland’s future population. BUt there are some that I feel should come in for special mention, and they are: Mr. S. G. Blaylock, Mr. W.M. Archivald and the Consolidated Mining and Smelting Company of Canada, Limited, for material and equipment, also Mr. Lorne A. Campbel [sic], for his excellent donation of installation and maintenance of electrical equipment. 

“The thanks of this community are also due to Mr. R. J. Clegg for prosecuting the legal work in connection with the formation of this Swimming Pool Society gratis; Mr. O. L. Colbourne, who has given of his best from the first hour the work commenced, until the completion, and last but not least, Mr. James Wright and his committee; The Canadian Legion, and that wonderful army of volunteer workers, who after all have meant more than anything in the completion of this grand and glorious undertaking. 

“The pool will not only provide healthful recreation for our children and citizens, but it will also dispel the idea, in the outside districts, that Rossland people, owing to the shortage of water only take a bath once a year.

“We are now pleased to be able to invite the citizens of adjoining communities, to come out and bathe with us in this water from our pure mountain streams, the purity of which is only excelled by the purity of the present civic administration, and I sincerely hope that the patrons of this pool will at all times endeavor to maintain this high standard of purity. 

“In an effort such as this, finance plays a big part, and I am going to appeal to you good citizens to give the committee your continued support, in order to start this good civic asset without any liabilities.”

“This is a red letter day in the history of Rossland and the people of Rossland should be proud because of the fact that they have had fulfilled a long-felt desire in the way of a first class swimming pool. This is a real asset to the City, and is not only an asset to the City, but a monument to those who have donated labor, money and material, so liberally. 

“In this connection, I would like to congratulate James Wright, who is President of the Swimming Pool, on his courage in starting a venture of this kind during the present period of depression. It is this courage that won the Great War and won for Rossland this Swimming Pool.

“I also wish to congratulate Mr. O. L. Colbourne, City Engineer, for the engineering ability he displayed in designing and constructing the Swimming Pool. He has worked long hours to see that a first class job would be made. 

“I also wish to thank the men of Rossland and Trail, who have donated their labor and worked so hard to bring the pool to completion. 

“The citizens of Rossland, I am sure, appreciate the assistance received from the Smeltermen through their cash donations. This same applies to those who have subscribed so liberally with money and material in both Rossland and Trail. 

“Speaking on behalf of The Consolidated Mining and Smelting Company of Canada, Limited, I can assure you that they are always ready to assist enterprises of this kind, and, as a citizen of Rossland, I wish to say that The Consolidated Company have done nobly in furnishing material for hte construction of this pool. The West Kootenay Power and Light Company Limited are supplying electric power for the heating and pumping of the water and lighting of the pool. I also wish to thank those people who so kindly lent their presence to the opening of the pool. 

“It is only fair that you should have some information regarding the pool. It is thirty feet wide and ninety feet long. The depth of the water at the shallow end is thirty inches and at the deep end eight feet. The pool contains approximately 85,000 gallons of water, which is heated electrically by means of a heater similar to the one used at Chapman Camp Swimming Pool at Kimberley. Energy to the extent of 300 horsepower is used in bringing the water up to a temperature of 70 degrees Fahrenheit. At the present time the water is being circulated through the pool continuously which means clean water in the pool at all times. 

“If you would ask the man on the street as to what this pool represents in dollars and cents, I feel certain that not one in a thousand would have the least idea and for your information this pool when completed will cost between $6,000.00 and $7,000.00.

“It is the intention of the Swimming Pool Committee to arrange for a filter which we are pretty well assured will be arranged for and installed before the pool opens in the Spring of 1933. This filter will filter the water from the pool continuously, pass it through the heater and return it to the pool and at the same time add the required amount of chemicals to destroy all bacteria. When this is completed the Rossland Swimming pool will be modern in every way.

“The present Swimming Pool will have to be extended as time goes on, and, for this reason, we would suggest that the City Fathers make arrangements to reserve or deed to the Swimming Pool, the lots between the Swimming Pool and Spokane Street, as a wading pool should be provided during 1933 for the small children. These lots could be put in excellent condition and planted with trees and flowers which would add to the beauty of our city. This would be necessary as from now on the Swimming Pool will be a Civic centre.”

“I presume that I have been called on because of my long associations with the Board of Trade. The Rossland Board of Trade is a distinctly public service organization and the efforts are always directed towards securing benefits for Rossland and Rossland citizens.

“You are all familiar with the important benefits secured for Rossland through the Board’s activities and I will not take up any more of your time in this connection.

“The site on which this fine swimming pool is located has particular significance for me in that it was on this exact location that I took my first job in Rossland thirty-five years ago.

“You have already  heard from Mayor Turner and Mr. McDonald of the important part taken by the Canadian Legion, the companies and individuals towards the accomplishments of this fine  undertaking, and I am not going to refer further than to request the boys and girls assembled, who will be the main users of the pool in the future to join in giving three cheers to the Canadian Legion, Mr. Wright and other members of the swimming pool committee, The Consolidated Mining and Smelting Co., Mr. Blaylock and Mr. Archibald, the West Kootenay Power and Light Co., Mr. Campbell and Mr. McDonald, Mr. Colbourne, City Engineer, and all the volunteer helpers, who made possible this much needed public improvement.”

Three rousing cheers were given.

“William K. Esling, M.P. in a brief address, said the undertaking and completion of the pool was a reminder that the “old Rossland” spirit was still with us, and the achievement was particularly notable at a time of stress, when everybody was feeling the pinch.

“He said that Rossland’s good friends who contributed generously, both in material and money, took off their hats to willing young men who contributed their labour. To all who made the splendid enterprise possible, he expressed warm commendation.”

Summary by The Rossland Miner, August 11, 1932