Source : Perth Now news
North Sydney Olympic Pool has reopened after a five-year redevelopment marked by delays, legal disputes and cost blowouts, ending a 1986-day wait for locals.
The facility, at Milsons Point between the Harbour Bridge and Luna Park, first opened in April 1936.
It closed in February 2021 and was originally due to reopen in 2022.
But after years of delays, it has finally returned with a free community weekend in its 90th year.
The gates opened at 2.30pm on Friday, giving the public its first access to the redeveloped site after a project that grew into one of Sydney’s most debated council builds.
What began as a redevelopment was delayed by heritage issues, legal disputes and rising costs, with the final bill reportedly reaching $122 million.
Swimmers now have access to a heated 50m outdoor pool, an indoor 25m lap pool, a program pool, a children’s splash pad and water play area, and spa, sauna and steam room facilities for guests aged 16 and over.
The grandstand kiosk opened on Friday afternoon, while a gelato bar is operating across the weekend.
The redevelopment also includes a gym, group fitness studio, reformer pilates studio, swim school, creche and cafe.
Some areas, including the gym and pilates studio, will not open for use until Monday.
Council has warned of strong demand during the opening weekend, with free entry from Friday to Sunday and no bookings required.
Entry is on a “first come, first served basis”, and visitors may need to wait if the venue reaches capacity.
“We’re expecting large crowds, so keep an eye on our channels for capacity updates before you visit,” North Sydney Council said on Facebook.
“To help as many people as possible enjoy the opening weekend, we ask visitors to limit their stay to around one hour.”
The project also became part of a wider debate about whether local councils should take on major infrastructure projects, as ageing pools across Sydney face costly upgrades.
Alongside the new facilities, several heritage features have been restored, including the eastern wall facing the harbour, the sundeck and the eastern stair tower.
Inside, historic photographs and projections highlighting the pool’s history and swimmers including Dawn Fraser, Shane Gould and Murray Rose feature along a hall of fame walkway.
Other details that drew attention during the rebuild include underfloor heating and swimsuit dryers in the change rooms, as well as brass frog motifs inlaid into the outdoor pool tiles.
Inspired by frogs shown on the eastern wall, the tile work reportedly cost $42,000.
The outdoor pool is filled with treated saltwater drawn from Sydney Harbour.
Council has planned face painting, roving entertainment and raffle draws for Saturday and Sunday as part of the opening weekend.
“This is a party for the whole community. Whether you are a former pool user, a local family, a fitness fan or simply curious to see inside, everyone is invited to celebrate the return of the city’s iconic harbourside landmark in its 90th year,” the council said.
From Monday, casual entry will cost $11 for adults, $8.80 for children aged three to 15, and $8.25 for concession holders.
