City of Newcastle (CN) is gearing up to welcome swimmers back to its public pools after undertaking a significant program of improvements.
While Lambton Swimming Centre recently reopened its doors, Stockton, Mayfield, Wallsend and Beresford will follow suit during the September school holidays.
Over winter, all five complexes underwent safety upgrades, extensive re-painting, and maintenance of the pool tiles and promenades.
Visitors to Lambton will also notice major progress on the construction of a new grandstand, which is expected to be completed by November.
Three smaller ones have been installed adjacent to the diving pool.
Permanent tiered seating structures have gone in at Mayfield, Stockton and Wallsend swimming centres, too, giving schools, sporting groups and spectators more shaded seating options when those facilities reopen next month.
A range of other works are being delivered across the facilities, as well, to enhance the comfort, safety and enjoyment of the community both in and out of the water, including pump replacements for improved water quality, new lane ropes, upgraded play equipment at Beresfield and a new shade sail over the playground at Mayfield Swimming Centre.
Council’s executive manager community and recreation Lynn Duffy said CN maximised the period during winter as part of its commitment under the Inland Pools Strategy 2043.
“We’ve invested more than $5 million upgrading and $2 million maintaining the city’s public pool network during the past few years to ensure they continue to meet the expectations and evolving needs of more than 320,000 people who visit them each year,” she explained.
“Our team has completed an extensive program of capital and maintenance works during the past few months.”
Ms Duffy said the pools would continue to be operated by BlueFit while new lease arrangements were finalised.
CN is currently preparing a report for the Minister for Local Government following the recent public notice of the proposed lease.
“In the meantime, we’ve granted an extension of the current lease with BlueFit to ensure these important community assets can open for the upcoming swimming season,” Ms Duffy said.
“BlueFit will also provide day-to-day management of Beresfield Swimming Centre as it is included in the tender that has been awarded.”
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