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“The only joy I could take is it’s almost, well, ‘I could have told you it was a problem.'”
North Sydney Olympic Pool Reopens After Extensive Repairs; Swimmers Anticipate Return – The North Sydney Olympic Pool, a key community facility, is set to reopen following a prolonged closure for major structural repairs. The pool was shuttered in February 2023 after engineers identified meaningful corrosion in the concrete structure, prompting concerns about safety.
Former swimmer, Eleanor Payne, expressed relief at the impending reopening, recalling her frustration with the pool’s closure. “The only joy I could take is it’s almost, well, ‘I could have told you it was a problem,'” she stated, referencing long-standing concerns about the pool’s maintenance.
The repairs, overseen by North sydney Council and undertaken by construction firm Lloyd Group, involved extensive concrete remediation, replacement of corroded steel reinforcement, and upgrades to the pool’s filtration and circulation systems. The project cost approximately $4.8 million, funded by the council and a $2 million contribution from the NSW State Government’s Regional and Local Roads and Transport Grants program.
Ms. Payne, who regularly swims at Balmoral Beach when the pool is closed, noted the challenges of open-water swimming. “It doesn’t necessarily get any easier,I think,swimming in cold water.It’s bracing, it’s invigorating. But it will definitely be nice to get a pool back – especially an indoor pool.” Balmoral’s current sea temperature is 15 degrees Celsius.
The upgraded complex now features two new 25-meter indoor pools alongside the existing outdoor 50-meter pool, offering year-round swimming options for residents and visitors. The reopening is scheduled for November 2023, with a community open day planned for November 18th.
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