Back in the old days Heene Road Baths – Worthing Gazette 1948,   M.A Hayes Principle Librarian Local Studies.  West Sussex County Council 1994

Heene Road Baths the Worthing Corporaton Baths…

…in fact started out as a gymnasium with a small water works that provided emergency supplies during the typhoid outbreak in 1893.

Designed by Mr G.A. Dean it was in elaborate Gothic style, and in 1907 on the 15th June after reconstruction Sir Henry Aubrey- Fletcher M.P. opened the building as swimming baths. It was of adequate dimensions to form a swimming Club with programmes of entertainment and Aquatic Galas way into the 1900s. The forecourt was laid out with tennis courts until in later years when they became the car parking area.

The Brand New Building 1866. 1872 as a gym. To have further reconstruction by 1907 to become swimming baths, and further extension to the swimming baths 1948. Worthing Herald. M.A Hayes Principle Librarian Local Studies 1994

Tweaked by agj  Worthing herald M.A. Hayes Principle Librarian Local Studies 1994

The one downfall initially was that it was not large enough to host water polo matches and the baths underwent an extension programme featuring a larger bath. During the war years the small bath was closed and for it’s re-opening in May 1948, it had undergone major overhaul with fresh chlorinated and heated water. Many children learned to swim there and was also used for Commando exercises and training[…]

Read more… Worthing Open Air Pool opened by Judy Grinham Olympic Gold Medallist

The extension is visible between the two pictures. Will enlarge +

OUTCOME: The Baths remained in use until 1968, before being demolished 5 years later. The former recreational site is now occupied by a petrol filling station and the MGM Assurance office block.

Heene Road Baths just before closure 1968 M.A Hayes Principle Librarian Local Studies 1994

The site is situated 200 yds up from the beach which is off to the right

Heene Road Baths Site Geo reference 1888 – 1913 map. Will expand to full view.

It looked a beautifully architecturally designed building.  How many remember these baths?  

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