The History of Harold Holt Swim Centre
In 1924 the Malvern Council voted to build the first Municipal Baths. The proposed location in Glen Iris on the corner of High and Edgar Streets, was strongly supported by the Education Department who envisaged a childrens' 'learn to swim' campaign. The 'Malvern Baths' was designed by the City Engineer Barton Coutie, using ideas from overseas. Built at a cost of £10,476, the baths included a wedge-shaped pool and bathing boxes. The Malvern Baths were officially opened by the Mayor Harry Wilmot in November 1927.
By the early 1960s the facilities were declared 'inadequate and outmoded' and in 1966 Malvern Council commissioned architects Kevin Borland and Daryl Jackson to design a new swimming complex. The Centre consisted of five pools, with the focal point being a large glass-walled building enclosing a 25 metre pool and learners' pool, which enabled year-long swimming. Outside, the main 50 metre Olympic pool was the first pool in Australia designed to metric standards.
The new Centre was to be named the 'City of Malvern Olympic Swimming Centre,' however following the tragic death at sea in December 1967 of Malvern's local member and Prime Minister of Australia, the new pool was named the 'Harold Holt Memorial Swimming Centre.' The new Centre was opened by the Prime Minister, John Gorton in March 1969.
In 1988 substantial additions to the building included the construction of a hydrotherapy pool, spa, sauna and multi-purpose room for aerobics and yoga classes. The 50m outdoor pool became the first in Victoria to be heated for year-round swimming. Further works were undertaken in 1998 to improve pool operations, including an indoor pool 'wet deck' and upgrade of the filtration systems.
The building, now listed on the Victorian Heritage Register, is considered to be among the most notable examples of Brutalist architecture, a style adopted in the 1960s. The Harold Holt Swim Centre remains one of Melbourne's most popular aquatic facilities with 400,000 visitors per year.