More shaded seating and an upgraded playground are among the latest projects being delivered by City of Newcastle as part of continued investment to enhance and improve its public swimming pool facilities.
Five of the tiered seating structures temporarily installed at Lambton Swimming Centre in January are being permanently relocated to the Mayfield, Stockton and Wallsend Swimming Centres, where the addition of new shade covers will give schools, sporting groups and spectators more seating options when the facilities reopen later this year.
The three remaining temporary grandstands at Lambton will be permanently moved to the northern side of the diving pool, allowing work to continue on the demolition and replacement of the swimming centre's 60-year-old concrete grandstand.
Families in Newcastle's booming western suburbs will also benefit from planned upgrades at Beresfield Swimming Centre, with the installation of a new playground featuring a range of equipment including a nest swing, flying fox, inground trampoline and double slide, as well as a new shade sail, wider footpaths and picnic tables.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said whilst City of Newcastle is maximising the winter closure period to continue enhancing its inland pool network, the city is also moving forward with its 20-year strategy for these much-loved community facilities with a range of short, medium and longer-term upgrades proposed.
"City of Newcastle has invested more than $5 million upgrading and $2 million maintaining the city's public pool network during the past few years," Cr Nelmes said.
"By repurposing items like Lambton Swimming Centre's temporary seating structures to our other facilities, community members and visitors that utilise Mayfield, Stockton and Wallsend Swimming Centres are also set to benefit from the original investment.
"City of Newcastle is committed to maintaining and investing in our network of inland swimming centres to ensure they continue to meet the expectations and evolving needs of more than 320,000 people who visit them each year.
"That's why we developed our 'Inland Pools Strategy 2043', which sets out an investment plan for Newcastle's network of public swimming pools to ensure they are fit-for-purpose in the long term and made accessible to all members of the community.
"Key to the draft Strategy is proposed accessibility upgrades in the short term at an estimated investment of $1.25 million. This includes a new platform lift for entry into each of our 50-metre pools, while future redeveloped change room facilities to cater to those with accessibility requirements are proposed for Wallsend and Lambton Swimming Centres."
Councillors will vote tomorrow night to adopt the 'Inland Pools Strategy 2043' following feedback from the community. The tender for the construction replacement of the Lambton Swimming Centre grandstand will also be considered at the Council meeting.
