Mutual Work: Deseret Gymnasium, Questions

Mutual Work.

The Deseret Gymnasium. This is one of the most notable buildings now nearing completion. The actual work of construction was commenced very late in the fall of 1908, and the prospects are that it will be fin-

ished early this year. The building covers a ground area of approximately 90x150 feet, and is in height pretty near the equal of a five-story building, with a base- ment below. Beginning at the bottom, the gymnasium contains as follows: Basementfloor: — Bowling alleys, large locker room with two- team room suites, one on either side, each containing team room, rubbing room and shower and toilet rooms, also steam room, drying room, room for the machinery and filters, and a room which may later be used as a barber shop. Main floor:— Main entrance hallway with an ample stairway in either side leading both up and down; main locker room with ceiling 18 feet high, centrally located and well lighted, and with space isolated there- from, on the one side for private dressing rooms, and on the other side for twelve shower and two tub baths, one large toilet room, an instruc- tion room, and a ladies' hair drying room; two large exercise rooms or hand ball courts with hallway between leading to south entrance; a large swimming pool room at the north end; on the north side of the main entrance hallway, a ladies' locker room with a similar room below; on the south side of the same hallway the reception room and the office of the Physical Director. The Mezzanine floor contains on the south of the entrance hallway a fairly large athletic association room, and on the north a rowing room; also a gallery running entirely around the swimming pool; and a room over the hallway leading to the south entrance to be used for the appa- ratus required for ventilating the building. The main gymnasium floor contains the main gymnasium room, with two smaller rooms on either side of the hallway.

38 ) IMPRO VEMENT ERA.

Are there any conditions in your ward that make the work in any of the departments of the M.I. A. more difficult than it should be? Of the main floor the swimming pool is perhaps the most attractive, indeed, it is a question if it will not be the best room in the building. The pool itself is 30 by 60 feet, with a five-foot tiled promenade running all around, the depth of water varies from four and a half feet at the

east end, to seven feet at the other; but it is so arranged that a less depth of water can be maintained. The pool will be equipped with slate steps and brass ladders leading down into it, and a springboard at the deep end. The walls of the room containing the pool, as also those of the pool itself, will be glazed with white enameled brick, together with the numer- ous windows, which should make this room a beautiful and most attractive one. In order to increase as much as possible its attractiveness, all the water in the pool is first to be filtered, so that it, too, should be crystal clear. Entrance to the pool room is obtained only through the shower room; all who use the pool must first take a shower bath. By an arrangement of plan which can only be alluded to here, it is

possible to shut and lock two doors and thereby isolate the pool and the two ladies-locker rooms from the balance of the building. This will per- mit the ladies to have reserved to them the swimming pool at certain intervals, without interfering with the regular work in the remainder of the building. The visitors gallery above the pool can be enterered only from the main entrance hallway. Another room which will compete with the swimming pool as being the best in the building, is the main gymnasium on the top floor. This is certainly a splendid room. Its size is 71 by 146 feet, and it is 32 feet from floor to underside of trusses. It will have a polished maple floor, so that it should be as ideal for dancing as for gymnastics. The room will be amply lighted by large windows on all sides and by an extensive skylight above; and at night by a plentiful array of electric light bulbs. Other distinguishing features of this room are: first, the permanent seating gallery nine feet above the floor, providing accommodations for about a thousand people, and supported from the wall columns on the cantilever principle; and second, the running track, above the seating gallery, having fourteen and one-half laps to the mile. Besides the main entrance stairways, other stairways have been provided as follows: a tower staircase on the west side of the building with landings at all floors —this is to afford easy and private communica- tion for the athletes to all parts of the building, and two iron circular

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staircases leading from the northwest and southwest corners of the main gymnasiums to the seating gallery and running-track above. For quick decent from the running-track, two brass sliding poles have been installed, terminating at the main gymnasium floor. The building is practically fireproof, being built almost entirely of concrete, steel and masonry. It will cost approximately $175,000.

Those who have had charge of the design and erection of the build- ing are Lewis Telle Cannon and Ramm Hanson, architects, and A. P.

Merrill, engineer. Before perfecting their plans, they visited all the newest and best gymnasiums throughout the United States, in order that they might embody in this one, all that was best. The public will soon have an opportunity of passing judgment on the completed structure.

Questions for Officers. — Presidents of wards and stake officers

will do well to question themselves as to their work, and the condition of their associations. Have you organized your committees on study, athletics, field sports, music and drama, and social affairs, library and reading course, confer- ences and conventions; missionary work; and on reading, debates, con- tests and lectures? If not, what are you going to do about the matter? If so, how are they working? What results? Have your teachers good attention? Is the order in your associ-

ation good? What are you doing to make it better? Is your association a factor in the life of your ward? In what respect? Have you any suggestions to offer for the next season? Do you know who the chairmen of the committees of the General Board are who have the different divisions of work in charge? Have you written to them for suggestions? Have you any suggestions to offer? Have you any criticisms of the manual? Do you have plenty of them in the classes? Have you canvassed your ward for the Era? Have you appointed an agent, and is he doing his duty? Do the priesthood quorums support you in getting subscribers? Have you a committee on athletics? How are you prepared to give athletic exercises? Do the games bring you a greater enrollment? What effect have they on the order, lessons, interest? Have you a committee to take charge of the debating, oration and lecture department? How did you succeed with your efforts to have a debate? Have you had any readings in the Junior Class? Is your organization properly graded?