Every morning before sunrise, swimmers carrying towels and goggles navigate their way through waves crashing on shore to cool off in pockets of placid ocean water. Here they swim, float or sit – it is a centuries-old ritual which commemorates humanity’s connection to our marine environment.
But the sparkling pools that dot NSW beaches are under threat. Maintaining them to world-class standards is becoming increasingly expensive for local councils, while a new government policy could put many out of business by lowering barriers to pool entry for children – which in turn would likely increase membership fees and cut revenue for pools that operate for free for them. The NSW state government has encouraged councils to experiment with free pool entry for kids while supporting groups working toward this end.
Some residents, however, find even free pools insufficient justification for the expense incurred to create them. North Sydney Olympic Park’s pool has become an emblematic example of how difficult such projects can be in terms of delays, controversy and criticism over cost and heritage impact – though local community member Zoe Baker who heads North Sydney Council says her community simply wanted a pool.
Some public pools, like Bronte’s pool, have seen their stories turned into feature films; many locals still await North Sydney pool’s reopening after it closed for refurbishment in February 2021 to meet world-class standards; its planned return was initially late 2022 but has since been postponed until 2025.
Beautiful city pools serve not only to please us, but they’re also invaluable lifesaving stations – giving those unable to swim safely in open water a place to cool off safely and relax in comfort. This is particularly important for young people without access to private pools or gyms who may be at greater risk of drowning.
An investment in high-quality fibreglass pools pays for itself both in terms of enjoyment and health benefits, making a custom-built pool from Sydney Poolscapes worth every cent spent. From their dedication to top-tier quality and customer service to skilled builders working closely with you every step of the way ensuring your new aquatic paradise meets all your specifications, their team will work closely with you until it meets every one! With their customized approach to pool design tailored specifically towards you and taking into account lifestyle, site conditions and other considerations they will create an oasis that meets all your needs – get in touch today for more information!