The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-05-16
BATHING FACILITIES.
Plans Prepared for a City Natat0-
rum on Eddy Street.
How II IS Proposed TO Alter The Old
Bleachery Building There.

II Stone, Carpenter e. Williams plars for
city nataorium mature. az now seems prob
able, the ciiizenA OF Providence will have
reason to be- grateful. and Alderman Little
and his fellow committeeman may concratu-
late themselves. AS announced yesterday. it
Is proposed to take the old bleacbery Building
ON Eddy street, just below the city yard. and
change 10 into public bath establishment.
The plan for building over the river. bosween
Westminster and Crawford streets. being
abandoned because OF its expense. The old
bloachery can he altered easily, and the cost
Will be within bounds. although it is too
early to estimate IL now. 1t is proposed TO
lave the entrances. one for men and The other
for women. direct from the street, and they
will lead TO the waiting rooms. where towels
and soap may be obtained. The basens nt Is
to DO divided into two parts. The northerly
part Is TO contain swimming tank. .xca-
waited In the enrth for men and boys. 24xG6
feet in area. No person is to be allowed to
take swim, however. until he has first had
shower or rain bath. This is to insure clean
illness. The southeIly part win be divided
into two parts. one for men and the other for
women. Brick partitions viii separate the
apartments. in the mems side there will be
a dozen individual rsin baths. lot and cold
water. each in its own room. The rooms will
DO 4xs feet and divided by rubber curtain.
SO as to keep ono half dry 20 dress snd un-
dress in. There will also be a congrorate
shower bath In a room. l2xs0 feet. which will
be especially adapted TO the boys use. They
can get together for their preparatory shower
before jumping into tho tank. Tbers will
also be about 20 dressing rooms for swimmers
Ian tbatr l.,oL ba
door, hang the key around their necks ard
lump in, feeling that their wearing apparel
is secure, The small boy. who only wears a
shirt aud pants. will find hooks on tho wall
TO hang his costume on. The mems part will
have ono tub bath. The idea Is TO discourage
tubs as much as possible. because OF obvious
sanitary reasons. The proportion OF tubs in
the same as pertsins in the New York public
bath houses. The wcmen's side will contain
10 individuai rain baths and two tubs. 1t was
intended TO give the women q swimming
tank. but that was given mp.
Tho swimming tank and rain baths for men
will receive light through :arro sxyliebts
The wonen's apsr tmept being on the south
tide. will receive light from the windows.
An asphalt floor. easily urainod. completes
tho basement equipment, wi tho oxcspiion
Of the boilers. whiob will be in the front end
OF tho brilding. and the coal bins Will be
under the kody street sidewalk. Tho bnso.
ment ~ sntiroly above groand. as those wlo
nr q iyn iiar with tie premises will rem, m
ber. 1hs street Is elevated ard the ground
81 OF cs toward the rear.
On the first or street floor, behind tho
waiting rooms, viii lie laundry ond drying
roGnis and tie rest 81 the brioins will be
IN ode irto n tenement for tho Keepers use.
One thing "a reasonably ccrtfin. and that Il,
A. 1, prola tie that before another summer W.
wilt see the concentration ot these or ,imilar
rlnrs. anti nirendy ono can imEgins The fuI of
standing under ons OF those nelitiprs ruiu