The St Georges Park Swimming Pool next to the St Georges Park Cricket Stadium was opened on 12 November 1937. The opening of the pool was celebrated with a performance of Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night Dream" and was said to be one of the most beautiful and modern baths in South Africa at the time. The complex has a Olympic sized swimming pool, a kiddies pool and a grand stand with seating for 1080 people. The well knows South African playwright Athol Fugard's play "Master Harold and the Boys" takes place in the tea room at the swimming pool. Unfortunately the tea room has been closed for many years now. Even more unfortunate is the fact the the swimming pool is currently closed due to the water restrictions that we have in the city due to the drought in the catchment areas.
I spent many happy summer afternoons at the pool when I was a kid. Our school swimming lessons AND our school swimming galas were held at St Georges. I remember that admission was 7c!!
ReplyDeleteI didint know that about Master Harold and the boys. How fascinating! Sorry about the water restrictions. Sounds quite dire.
ReplyDeleteI am starting to learn a large number of things by visiting your blog lately Firefly, Nice pic and keep up the good work
ReplyDeleteThanks for the Pic as promised. too bad about the water restrictions and the cafe being closed
ReplyDeleteWOW!! I spent most of my childhood here. We lived across the road from St George's park and it has left a great big mark on my heart. We would spend our pocket money on aniseed balls and all sorts of lollies I have never seen anywhere else. So many memories around this location.
ReplyDeleteHello My name is Kevin Southall form Sutton Coldfield Birmingham united kingdom, I worked at st georges baths for a breif period about april 1983 when mr swarts was manager with Vernon his understudy he gave me a chance to work there, I was there for about six months untill due to unforseen circumstances I had to return to the UK, I have fond memories and can still remember some name such as Dan & RP the maintainace guy's, we spent lot's of time painting to get ready for the summer though the baths were open only on the odd occassion did someone swim due to what the locals called cold ! man it was better than a good summer back in the Uk LOL, Yes Fond memmories indeed, Yours Kevin Southall.
ReplyDelete