Celebrating 100 years: History of Khandallah Pool

In 1918, when people wanted to go for a dip, they turned to swimming in nearby streams. A suggestion was made to the local council to set up public baths in the suburb of Khandallah to provide residents with a modern way of swimming.

The idea was put on hold for a few years until the Khandallah Progressive Association was created, where the chairman Captain Malcolm Galloway began campaigning for a pool to be built into Khandallah. 

It was around this time that Wellington City Council had taken ownership of the Khandallah Domain and were encouraging the community to share their thoughts on the future of the space.

It was decided in a public meeting that the swimming pool would be the ideal option for the domain, as the catchment area was the only feasible location for it due to the access to fresh water, proximity to local schools and sunny position.   

By December 1924, the swimming pool was open to residents of the suburb during the holidays. Hundreds of people came to indulge in the cool mountain water which flowed through the pool. The pool was 7 feet deep at one end, and 3 feet at the shallow end. 

A Dominion article from 31 December 1924 states that “the depth of water is just a little too great for the three-year-olds, but later it is to be reduced by a little filling of sand, which will provide a miniature beach”.

The pool opened in January 1925, but due to the depth proving to be insufficient, local swimming enthusiasts approached the Council about making the pool deeper so that racing could be possible. 

Work continued through the end of the 1925 summer season to raise the wall at one end of the pool, and the surrounding area was concreted. A ticket box office was also put in place. 

Once these adjustments had been made, at the commencement of its second season, the pool was ready and officially opened by Mayor Norwood in November 1925. Captain Galloway from the Khandallah Progressive Association was the first to enter "with an excellent dive from the high-diving board and swim [of] the length of the pool".

To celebrate the pool’s 100th year of operation we are holding an event at the Khandallah Pool and Park this January. Check out the event on Facebook for more information.