Welcome to the first edition of our North Sydney Olympic Pool e-newsletter
This new monthly e-newsletter will help keep you informed with regular updates on the pool redevelopment progress, key milestones, and exciting details about our upcoming state-of-the-art community facility, as we move towards the final stages of construction.
Project update
We acknowledge that the delays encountered in the North Sydney Olympic Pool redevelopment have been frustrating for everyone involved and understand the community is eager for the pool to reopen after a long closure.
We continue to work very hard to get the project completed as soon as possible, and remain committed to delivering a new community facility we can all be proud of.
In April 2023, Council considered a report outlining a summary of the independent review that was commissioned to better understand the root cause of the challenges experienced during the project. This report is available on Council’s website.
Like many other major infrastructure projects in recent years, the redevelopment of the pool was impacted by unprecedented wet weather and COVID-19 delays. Progress has also been hampered by a broad range of latent conditions that were not identified prior to construction, including contaminated ground, hazardous materials and the structural adequacy of building elements that were only assessed once construction work commenced.
We have been working to preserve and restore heritage features like the western stair tower, southern-facing brick wall and timber windows. This work has also been challenging, taking longer and being more costly than expected. However, we know it is important to get these features right. We are committed to honouring the pool's history, so that we can all enjoy its heritage charm for years to come.
Structural steelMore recently the project has been further delayed due to issues with the steel roof framing over the 25m indoor pool, which resulted in this work being disassembled. Council’s project team has worked closely with the contractor and designer to resolve the issues with the roof framing. New structural steel recently arrived on site and Council’s contractor has now begun assembling the roof framing over the 25m indoor pool, which realises a significant project milestone.
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Project progressWe currently anticipate construction will be completed in early 2025, however we are still working through the full implications of the structural steel. We will continue to keep you updated as the project progresses. Once the completed facility is handed over to Council, we will need to commission and prepare the facility for opening, which will take up to three months. Like you, we are very much looking forward to opening the pool as soon as possible. The new venue will welcome brand new state-of-the art facilities as well as the familiar and unbeatable harbour views. |
Construction across the site is continuing and tiling of the outdoor 50m pool is now complete. Take a look at the before and after photos:
The western tower heritage restoration works are also now complete and the fit-out of plant rooms on levels 1 and 2 is progressing. High-level services on level 3 have begun to be installed, and internal walls and ceilings are being 'closed in'.
Council has endorsed the creation of a new artwork to commemorate Freddie Lane, a North Sydney resident and Australia’s first Olympic gold medal swimmer, who won gold at the Paris 1900 Olympics. The artwork will celebrate Lane and other swimming champions with ties to the area, and it will be installed outside the pool. The unveiling is planned to coincide with the pool’s 90th anniversary celebrations in 2026.
Legal proceedings
You may have read in the media recently that Council has commenced legal proceedings against Brewster Hjorth Architects (BHA) for breach of contract in relation to design services for the pool redevelopment. The decision is based on the consideration of legal advice by Councillors, and follows a dispute resolution process between Council and BHA, which ultimately did not resolve the dispute. Our focus remains on ensuring that the redevelopment is delivered to a high standard so that the pool can once again be enjoyed by everyone.
What's next?
In the coming months, we hope to share more project milestones with you, including the heritage restoration of the pool’s main southern wall, and progress on the change rooms, gym and other indoor spaces.
We hope you’ve found this first edition of North Sydney Olympic Pool e-newsletter informative and look forward to keeping you updated with future editions.
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