The mere mention of these watering holes elicits a torrent of reminiscences from Sydneysiders: about whiling away the halcyon days of their youth at the local pool; about their very first swimming lessons, under the threat that they would be swept out to sea; and about graduating from these shallow enclaves into the vast abyss. For some, however, suburban swimming pools are becoming a thing of the past.
Whether it’s a sign of aging, the rise of online activities and the shift in pool priorities away from recreation to fitness, diving platforms have been disappearing from the suburbs at an alarming rate. While a handful still have them, they are often in a state of disrepair, the casualties of concrete cancer and the fact that kids now prefer to splash about in the shallows.
For those who miss jumping off the diving board — or who simply prefer to swim in a safer environment — there are plenty of other options. A new wave of swim schools are using inflatables to teach the basics, and some pools are offering Mommy and Me sessions on Saturday mornings, a chance for parents with children aged four years and under to have the pool to themselves before it gets busy.
Others, like the pool at Palm Beach, an upscale enclave 25 miles north of Sydney, have built a watering hole inspired by a billabong — an Australian term for a waterhole that filters its own water using plants. It’s a more natural option than a conventional pool, which relies on chemicals to keep the water clean. The result is an eco-friendly pool that’s less work for the staff and safer for swimmers.
Another new alternative is fiberglass pools, which offer a host of benefits compared with traditional concrete ones. Fiberglass pools don’t raise the pH level of the water, and they are resistant to algae, requiring fewer chemicals. They also require far less maintenance, making them easier for small businesses to manage than the more cumbersome and expensive concrete alternatives.
While it’s impossible to know what the future holds for sidney pools, some experts have hope. Those who want to invest in their own backyard swimming pool can apply with Viking Capital today and receive a financing consultation from one of our lending professionals. The information in this blog post is based on sources that are deemed reliable, but we do not guarantee its accuracy. It is intended for general guidance only and should not be used as a substitute for the advice of a financial professional.