"The 50-metre pool is now, you know, no more concrete cancer, and the same for the grandstand."
— North Sydney Mayor Zoë Baker

North Sydney Olympic Pool Set for August Reopening After Delayed, Costly Refurbishment

The North Sydney Olympic Pool, an art deco landmark situated under the Harbour Bridge, is scheduled to reopen to the public on August 7, 2024. Originally opened in 1936, the facility closed for refurbishment on February 28, 2021, with an initial planned reopening in 2022. The project's cost has since escalated to $122 million, up from an initial budget of $28 million.

Timeline and Handover

Builders are expected to formally hand back the site within two to three weeks. Following the handover, eight to ten weeks of preparation work will be required before the public reopening. Construction fencing, temporarily removed for a charity event, will be reinstalled until work is complete.

Refurbishment Details

Remaining work includes painting heritage stucco seashell reliefs in colors matching the original design. Retained original sections include the southern wall with its sundeck, and the pool's outer rim, which uses terracotta-colored bricks matching surviving 1930s bricks.

New additions include:

• A gym and pilates studio in a basement level under the rebuilt grandstand, following excavation into the hillside.
• A frog motif on new structures that mimics reliefs on the surviving eastern stair tower.
• The children’s outdoor pool tiling reconstructed from a slab of concrete stored at a council depot.
• New changing area concrete walls that echo art deco seashell reliefs.
• A new hinged wall in the center of the pool allows conversion between one 50-meter pool and two 25-meter pools, increasing lane count from 8 to 16.

Setbacks

A recent setback involved harbor water intake pipes requiring rework due to insufficient pumping volume. North Sydney Mayor Zoë Baker attributed this to having too many turns in the pipe system, which required rework to ensure correct pumping volume.

Cost and Financial Context

The project's budget escalated from an initial $28 million to $58 million, and ultimately to $122 million. Mayor Baker initially voted against the renovation, stating she believed a more modest project was possible.

The council has explored balancing its budget through deferring capital works and curtailing community centre projects. It is considering a plan to charge for commercial activity and social gatherings of more than 21 people in over 20 parks. Last year, the council sought an 87% rate increase over two years, which was rejected by the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal.

Facility Features and Pricing

The facility includes two indoor pools, a steam room, and a sauna. Casual visits will cost $11. Passes for multiple entries and gym memberships are available at $37 per week.

Charity Event

A charity event for the Klim Foundation, established by Olympic gold medalist Michael Klim, provided a first look at the refurbished pool. Former Olympic swimmers including Ian Thorpe and Daniel Kowalski attended.

Statements

Mayor Zoë Baker stated that the council will continue dealing with financial and other legacies of the pool, but users will enjoy returning.

"The 50-metre pool is now, you know, no more concrete cancer, and the same for the grandstand," Baker said.

She added: "Now that it's here for everyone using it, I think the last thing on their minds will be the financial repair the council's doing in the wake of it."