Thorndon Public Baths

The first Thorndon Baths were opened in December 1875. To make construction simple and keep costs down, they were saltwater baths; though the baths were fixed to the shore, they were sited in the harbour and therefore tidal. The baths were a prominent feature on the esplanade, a wide walking path that stretched the length of the quay where people would go for formal walks. Operated by a private company, they were available to the public for over a decade until the structure was damaged beyond repair by a tidal wave in 1888.

In 1895, a deputation from the City Council met with the Government Premier. They sought to obtain a site to erect public baths on the Thorndon Esplanade and at Oriental Parade. While there were private baths at Oriental Parade, there were no public baths for the residents of Thorndon, and it was "a reproach to a maritime City like Wellington that it had no [public] sea-swimming baths." Approval to proceed was given, and by September 1895 architect Joshua Charlesworth had drawn up plans for the baths at Thorndon.

The Council's Public Works Committee thought the plans "very suitable for the purposes. Without being elaborate, they provide for all the accommodation which will be required, and the exterior provides a very pleasing appearance." There was concern about the cost, but agreement they should proceed with the work as designed (later Chatfield did alter the plans to reduce the cost by £250). As a compromise, building public baths at Oriental Parade was postponed until funds were available (The Te Aro baths were finally opened in December 1901 to a design by the City Engineer, Richard Rounthwaite).

Construction of the Thorndon baths started mid-1896, and on 20 March 1897 they were opened to the public. Speeches were followed by programme of five swimming events, including an exhibition of back swimming, diving and water polo. The final exhibition was the ‘Monte Christo’ feat, where a swimmer was tied up in a sack and thrown into the sea; fortunately the swimmer Mr E J Flemming successfully escaped the sack after a minute or so.

The Thorndon Baths were closed in 1921 due to their poor state and low attendance, as well as planned expansion of rail services at Thorndon in 1924. However, the Council had approved expenditure on the baths one year prior­ for a pool, hot saltwater baths and Turkish baths, and bought a small parcel of land off Murphy Street in 1923. The new Thorndon pool, which is still in use, was officially opened on 11 October 1924.