Smiles, swims, coffees and plenty of community spirit marked the reopening of North Sydney Olympic Pool, with more than 10,000 people visiting the facility across its opening weekend.
In its 90th year, the much-loved community landmark welcomed visitors eager to explore the redeveloped facility, enjoy free entertainment and experience its aquatic, fitness and wellness spaces for the first time.
The strong turnout followed months of anticipation, with more than 5,000 people taking part in preview tours ahead of the official reopening.
Opening weekend by the numbers
- 10,000 visitors
- 818 coffees served
- 487 scoops of gelato enjoyed
- 282 cups of hot chips sold
The celebrations began on Friday with an official Opening Ceremony featuring a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony led by Cammeraygal Elders Auntie Jeanie and Auntie Tarunna. The ceremony also included speeches from North Sydney Mayor Zoë Baker, the Honourable Sophie Cotsis MP and swimming legend Shane Gould.
First opened in 1936, North Sydney Olympic Pool has played an important role in Australia's sporting and community history. The heritage-listed facility hosted the 1938 British Empire Games and has witnessed 86 world records.
The redevelopment has carefully restored the Pool's significant Art Deco heritage while creating a modern aquatic, fitness and wellness destination for the community. Heritage features retained onsite include the Eastern Stair Tower, the Southern Heritage Wall, the outer Gym wall and the Western staircase. Thousands of original 1930s bricks were salvaged and reused throughout the redevelopment.
Visitors can now enjoy indoor and outdoor pools, a spa, sauna and steam room, children's splash play areas, a crèche, a state-of-the-art gym and fitness facilities, a café, gelato bar and upgraded community spaces.
More than just a pool, North Sydney Olympic Pool has been part of the community's story for nine decades. Its reopening marks the beginning of a new chapter, creating opportunities for recreation, fitness, connection and community for generations to come.
Watch a recap of the opening ceremony:
Find out more about memberships, Learn to Swim and programs at North Sydney Olympic Pool website.