A natatorium is, stricta sensu, a structurally separate building containing a swimming pool. In Latin, a cella natatoriua was a swimming pool in its own building; thus, the sense was much as now.[1] It is usually taken for granted that it will also house locker rooms, and perhaps capacity for allied activities, such as a diving tank, facilities for water polo, and so forth. Many colleges and universities have natatoria.
The Waikiki War Memorial Natatorium in Honolulu, Hawaii is believed to be the largest salt-water natatorium in the world. Though the pool has long since closed due to health concerns the structure remains an interesting feature on the eastern end of Waikiki in the shadow of Diamond Head.
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