History of Pools

1909 - 1939

The Mayor of Napier, the late J Vigor Brown, proposed that a hot salt water pool be opened on the current site back in 1908. His motion to source a loan for 6000 pound was carried. These baths built in 1908 were state of the art at the time with a 100m x 50m main pool, five private hot, salt water baths, various recreation rooms and tearooms.

The original hot sea water baths were widely advertised for their curative value and being especially beneficial for such complaints as sciatica, neuritis, lumbago, rheumatism, fibrosis, insomnia and nervous disorders.

Mayor J Vigor Brown opened the pool in an elaborate ceremony and his vision of a swimming complex of excellence for the people of Napier continues on the same site today.

Over the years the site was revamped a number of times and the pools extensively used by the local community including swimming clubs, surf life saving clubs and leisure swimmers.