(Photo: State Library of Queensland and John Oxley Library; #39245)
Through the years since it was built, the Valley Pool has seen school swimming carnivals and amateur swim club meets, as well as Commonwealth and Olympic trials, child swimming classes and water polo matches. That all sounds pretty municipal to me. Although the interior of the pool has been modernised, the historical facade has been retained, and is readily visible to the thousands daily who travel down Wickham St towards Breakfast Creek. This is how it looks.

These days, it seems as though any person with a camera anywhere near children or teenagers, particularly if they are wearing a swimming costume, is automatically presumed to be a paedophile. Rather than incur the wrath of any overzealous official or parent, I have restricted myself to taking a photo of the exterior of the pool only - click on the photo for a larger image. In any case, I love the seeming formality of the brickwork and the importance of the "Municipal Swimming Bath" caption above the entrance. It seems to be the exact opposite to the way I would imagine a recreational swimming pool - lively and laughter-filled, with adults and children of all ages relaxing in the cool water.
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tff
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That old photo is just priceless - no chance of a modern day equivalent???
ReplyDeleteI don't think the diving boards are there any longer, Cara.
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