Sydney is home to countless pools, from iconic post-war public pools to backyard private ones. These water playgrounds are an important part of family and community life all year round – even when the weather doesn’t heat up!
Whether it’s for recreation, exercise or therapy, swimming pools provide many health benefits. They can improve heart health, lower blood pressure and strengthen bones and muscles. They also help to reduce stress and anxiety. If you’re thinking about having a pool in your home, work with an authorized Sydney pools builder who will design one to fit your space and budget while offering advice and tips on maintaining it.
There are dozens of tidal ocean rock pools and baths in NSW, including Coogee’s famous Wedding Cake Island tidal pool and Wylie’s Baths in the Sydney suburb of Coogee, which were created by champion swimmer Henry Alexander Wylie in 1907. These stunning locations allow people of all ages to swim, sunbake, fish, snorkel, walk, socialise, enjoy the views and get acquainted with the marine and plant life of the rocky shores.
In Sydney’s west, a short stroll from the city centre finds Granville Swimming Pool, open since 1936 and still hosting local swim meets in its steep concrete grandstands. Its modest single-storey building with polychromatic brickwork reflects interwar Art Deco architecture and complements the modern community centre that sits beside it. The sand-bottomed, 50-metre lap pool has a lane marking on the floor and can be used for recreational or training purposes.
Gail Younts, who co-manages the pool with Rhonda Hobbie, says that it’s a “very popular spot for families with young kids” and provides recreation for youths who may not participate in high school or youth sports programs. She says the pool also attracts residents from other parts of town who want to experience a local outdoorsy attraction. However, she adds, “The reality is it’s not sustainable.” The pool is spending $14,000 each year on repairs and maintenance and cannot generate enough revenue to cover expenses.
A City of Sidney Council report found that the pool has been losing money every year since its opening in 2009. The council will consider replacing the old-fashioned facility with a new aquatic centre next year. The new design could include a lazy river, which is an ideal water park feature for Sydney. Lazy rivers are also great for rehabilitation and therapeutic exercise as they can be programmed for strength, aerobics and resistance exercises. They can be built to accommodate swimmers of all ages, abilities and needs, including those who use a wheelchair or other assistive devices. They can also be designed for the use of inner tubes, which allows for multi-generational play and a wide range of aquatic fitness activities. The City of Sidney has already used the technology to create a multi-purpose aquascape in its playground at Central Park. The council hopes to implement the system at other parks in the future. The city is working with a specialist company that designs and builds these types of water features for aquatic centres, resorts, hotels and communities in Australia and abroad.
