The sdy pools that adorn Sydney’s rugged coastal sanctuaries are more than just places to cool off. They’re a testament to the egalitarian beachside ethos that pervades this city of cliffs and surf.
The saltwater ocean pools carved into the rocks at the end of most beaches are sacred public spaces between land and sea. They’re protective against the lethal rips, sharks and whooshing southerly winds that stir the ocean. They’re part of the city’s DNA, a reminder that swimming isn’t an elite sport but something anyone can do safely in the watery home of this storm-lashed city.
Pools have been popular since their inception, with the first recorded use of a concrete pool taking place in Sydney in 1826. Today, nine in 10 Australians live within a 20-minute drive of a public pool, according to a report published by SPASA in February. But that’s not to say all pools are created equal, with many regional and rural areas having far fewer aquatic centres than their urban counterparts.
In inner-Sydney, Prince Alfred Park Pool is a Riviera slice of summer that nabbed two national architecture awards when it was renovated in 2014. Buttercup yellow umbrellas and lawns strewn with sunbathers set the scene for a 50-metre swim in a pool that’s always at that jump-right-in temperature. The pool is also a hub of activity for locals thanks to its water polo and diving blocks and has become one of the city’s most popular swimming spots.
At the other end of the spectrum, North Sydney Olympic Pool is a pit of political infighting and claims of pork-barrelling. Beset with delays caused by Covid, La Nina and the discovery of asbestos, the budget blew out to $86m and the opening date pushed back to 2025. It’s “not the bread and butter of councils to do $60m, $70m projects,” says North Sydney mayor Zoe Baker, who has voted against what she calls a “bloated vanity project” 23 times.
Federal independent MP Kylea Tink supports Baker’s view, noting the cost of the pool is “an example of how not to do a project”. But she adds it may be possible to recoup the funds by charging fashion shows, production companies and private parties – activities outside the usual remit of a pool – which would help offset the massive bill.