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“I suspect the fees will be very similar to what other councils are charging [at pools] within a 10-kilometre radius. It’s not going to be that different because they’re the competition,” Baker said.
“We can’t be outrageous. We’re not pulling back $122 million from the entry fees to the pool.”
Baker expected the proposed fee structure would not include a joining or cancellation fee, and would allow casual visits, “so you can come in and out at any time. Whether you’re a tourist who wants to use it for four days, or a local who would like to use it year-round, it won’t be too onerous.”
North Sydney Council’s director of open space and infrastructure, Gary Parsons, said practical completion – when the council was “happy with everything” – was “the next big milestone”.
“Once that’s achieved [next month], and it’s handed over to the council, the removalist trucks will start rolling in. Then it’s just the gearing up to opening.”
The front entrance to the pool is among heritage features preserved in the redevelopment.Credit: Sam Mooy
The two 25-metre indoor pools are being filled with potable water this week before the filtration system is switched on. Credit: Sam Mooy
The complex includes multiple bathrooms, change rooms and shower facilities. Credit: Sam Mooy
The children’s water play area includes a splash pad and water spray feature beneath the pool’s heritage sundeck.Credit: Sam Mooy
Time-lapse footage shows a hose taking about six days to pump about 1.9 million litres of potable water into the outdoor pool in November. It will be topped up with water drawn from the harbour.
The facility includes a children’s water play area, ramp access to pools, a spa and sauna, rooms for group exercise and reformer Pilates, a revamped Ripples cafe, and a new 970-seat grandstand. Heritage features, including the stair tower, art deco harbour wall and sundeck, have been retained.
The change rooms and pools have been designed to be accessible for people with a disability. Credit: Sam Mooy
The project to overhaul the pool, which opened in 1936, has been plagued by cost blowouts and delays since it closed for the revamp in February 2021.
It had been forecast to reopen in November 2022. The initial estimated cost was $58 million.
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