From Swimming Pools to Festive Cheer

Published on 23 March 2023

Exploring the Heritage of Community Swimming Pools and the Festival of Pines in Upper Hutt

As the weather begins to cool and summer is quickly coming to an end, what better time than now to reminisce about swimming in our local pools?

Step into the world of nostalgia and explore the rich history of community swimming pools in Upper Hutt at the Central Library's Heritage area. On the wall and on television in our Heritage area (just to the far right of the Rotary Lounge) are captivating displays showcasing the community swimming pools in Upper Hutt, past and present.

Over the years, our local swimming pools have undergone significant changes in response to changing needs and trends.  Many of us will remember long days spent splashing around these pools with friends, playing games and even having swimming lessons or training. 

The pools of the past in Upper Hutt were often basic functional facilities designed for swimming lessons and fitness. Today our pools are no longer just a place for swimming laps.  H₂O Xtream has features like water slides, lane swimming pool and leisure pool for families to enjoy and programmes like sensory nights and women’s only nights to make swimming as accessible as possible to our diverse community. As H₂O Xtream undergoes renovation, we can look forward to better features and programmes for our Upper Hutt community when it reopens in 2024.

Let’s take time to appreciate the changes in Upper Hutt’s community pools and here’s looking at the Pinehaven Pool in the mid-90s.

Caption: Pinehaven Pool on Forest Road, 1929

Then walk over to the display cabinet where you'll find a mesmerizing exhibition on the Festival of Pines. You'll be transported back in time with our collection of clothing, ephemera, and photographs from the festival. 

The Festival of Pines was a much-loved trade fair held in Trentham for the forestry industry. It ran for three years in the mid-1990s. The festival celebrated the unique characteristic of the forestry industry in Upper Hutt and centred around the beautiful pine trees that we were known for.  The festival featured activities like a parade, live music, craft stalls and many more.

Caption: Upper Hutt College fifth former Carolyn Taylor was crowned Miss Festival of the Pines on Sunday 10 March 1996.  Carolyn later went on to become a children’s television presenter on What Now!

The two displays will be up for about six weeks between 20 March 2023 to 30 April 2023.

For more information, please email heritage@uhcc.govt.nz