Bangor’s swimming pool marks its 60th anniversary this week, with newspaper reports from 1966 revealing the excitement, ambition and controversy surrounding its opening.
Now known as Byw’n Iach Bangor, the centre celebrates the milestone on Thursday, 22 October, six decades after the official opening of the City of Bangor Swimming Pool at Garth Fields.
Contemporary newspaper clippings tell the story of a £160,000 development completed three months ahead of schedule, with swimming displays, a ceremonial opening and admission prices of two shillings for adults and one shilling for children.
An opening overshadowed by Aberfan
The pool was officially opened on Saturday, 22 October 1966, by Mrs Cledwyn Hughes, deputising for her husband, the Secretary of State for Wales, who was in Aberfan following the disaster the previous day.
The North Wales Weekly News reported that she was welcomed by Bangor’s Mayor, Councillor Eric Whitworth, before receiving the key to the main entrance and unveiling a commemorative plaque.
Mrs Hughes congratulated those involved and expressed the hope that the pool would be appreciated by young people in Bangor and the surrounding district.
Alderman O. T. Pritchard said residents had waited many years for the facility and urged the public to support it.
Schoolchildren from Newport provided swimming and diving displays, alongside demonstrations of water ballet, survival skills, lifesaving and artificial respiration.
An advance advertisement offered 200 tickets for the evening performance at five shillings each, with proceeds going to the Mayor’s Fund.
Public swimming began at 9am on Monday, 24 October. An adult swim cost two shillings — equivalent to 10p following decimalisation — while children paid one shilling, or 5p.
Years of planning
The new pool followed the closure of Bangor’s tidal baths at Siliwen in 1958.
The opening report traced the city’s public bathing facilities back to 1858 and described the old baths as dependent on sufficiently high tides to fill them. Concerns about pollution and the risk of disease had contributed to the decision to close them.
Finding a replacement site took time. Options considered included locations near the pier, Dean Street car park and the site of the Wellfield shopping centre.
The scheme was also delayed by the financial crisis of 1961 and rising costs before work eventually began on 19 July 1965.
The completed pool measured 110 feet by 42 feet, with a diving area 12 feet six inches deep. The newspaper reported provision for nearly 400 bathers, seating for 200 spectators and ten full-time staff.
A recruitment advertisement published in the Daily Post that August sought attendants, swimming instructors, changing-room staff and a cashier. The senior baths attendant and plant engineer’s annual salary was advertised at £780 to £890.
Welsh-language protests
The opening also became the focus of a dispute over the absence of Welsh on the commemorative plaque and other wording around the building.
Young protesters carrying Welsh-language banners demonstrated outside during the ceremony.
A follow-up report on 3 November revealed that Bangor City Council had rejected exterior Welsh descriptive signs by a single vote.
However, councillors unanimously agreed to install a second commemorative plaque in Welsh and provide bilingual designation and direction signs inside.
Councillor Mrs E. Bebb Jones had proposed Welsh wording on the front and Garth Road side of the building. Councillor G. W. Smith supported the call, questioning where Welsh could be used if it could not be displayed in Wales itself.
Six decades of change
An £850,000 refurbishment in 2015 brought four new diving boards, a bubble machine and video replay equipment, alongside improved fitness facilities. The building became Bangor Aquatics and Healthy Lifestyles Centre.
Byw’n Iach took over management in 2019. More recent improvements include Technogym Biocircuit equipment and a new fitness studio.
The centre continues to provide public swimming, swimming and diving lessons, and exercise classes. Marking the anniversary, Byw’n Iach thanked customers and past and present staff for supporting six decades of swimming and fitness in Bangor.
Photos: Geoff Charles
