Over 10,000 visit North Sydney Pool on first weekend
North Sydney Council welcomed 10,000 visitors to North Sydney Olympic Pool during its free-of-charge opening weekend from 7 to 9 August. Patrons enjoyed 818 coffees, 487 scoops of gelato and 282 servings of hot chips, plus a special 1930s-inspired performance celebrating the pool’s rich history.
The community was keen to have a look at the new facility – that took five years to renovate and cost $122 million – and over 5,000 people enjoyed a preview tour in the lead up to the opening.
The official opening ceremony on Friday 7 August featured a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony led by Cammeraygal Elders Auntie Jeanie and Auntie Tarunna, with speeches from North Sydney Mayor Zoë Baker, Minister for Industrial Relations Sophie Cotsis and Olympic swimming champion Shane Gould.
Mayor Baker said the reopening marked ‘a proud moment for our community.’
“Today marks the return of a true Sydney icon and I am delighted to welcome everyone back to create the next chapter in this extraordinary pool’s history.
“For generations, North Sydney Olympic Pool has been woven into the fabric of community life. Set on Cammeraygal Country, this remarkable place carries deep cultural significance as well as countless community memories,” Mayor Baker said.
“Families have learned to swim here, athletes have chased their dreams here and generations of residents and visitors have gathered here to enjoy one of the most spectacular waterfront settings in the country.”
The heritage-listed pool is now in its 90th year and has played a significant role in Australia’s sporting and community history since it first opened in 1936. The pool hosted the 1938 British Empire Games (known today as The Commonwealth Games) and has witnessed 86 world records.
The pool’s Art Deco heritage has been carefully restored, and four heritage structures remain onsite including the eastern stair tower, the southern heritage wall with its restored neoclassic stucco motifs, the outer gym wall and western staircase. Thousands of original 1930s bricks were salvaged and reused wherever possible, while replacement bricks were individually hand-painted to match the original brickwork.
“Buildings become landmarks because of their architecture,” Shane Gould said. “They become icons because of the people who fill them.”
Ms Gould won five medals in the 1972 Olympic Games and is the only swimmer in history to hold all freestyle world records at the same time.
Aged just 15, Ms Gould broke the world 100m freestyle record in 1972 at North Sydney Pool, a record which was held by fellow Australia Dawn Fraser.
At the opening, Ms Gould recalled that she has almost missed the race as she was waiting in the pool boiler room to keep warm. With tears streaming down her face, Ms Gould said she jumped in and swam her heart out, and broke the record.
“We celebrate not only the reopening of a remarkable pool, but the beginning of thousands of new stories that will unfold in these waters,” Ms Gould said at the opening.
“May this place continue to inspire health, courage, friendship and community for generations to come.”
Alongside its restored heritage features, the redevelopment has created a ‘world-class’ aquatic, fitness, and wellness destination for the community, council said.
Facilities include two indoor pools, spa, sauna, steam room, children’s outdoor pool and splash pad. Popular cafe Ripples and restaurant Aqua Dining are being fit out for opening. The community can hire spaces for events, there is a new café, gelato bar, upgraded sun deck, and retail store.