City of Newcastle is inviting residents to have their say in the creation of the city’s first indoor public pool.
The new facility will be part of Newcastle’s ambitious Inland Pools Strategy 2043, to ensure that the city’s public pools are equipped to meet community needs well into the future.
Council will hold a workshop later this month that will offer a platform for residents to provide feedback and share ideas on the proposed year-round pool. Additionally, a temporary “ideas wall” will be available at the site until October 20, allowing pool users to express their views during their visits.
Residents unable to attend in person can also participate through an online survey on the City of Newcastle’s website.
The launch of this consultation coincides with the beginning of an extended swimming season at Lambton Park, with Newcastle’s other pools at Wallsend, Mayfield, Stockton, and Beresfield set to reopen at the start of the September school holidays.
The previous swimming season saw a record-breaking turnout, with 450,000 visitors—making it the busiest season in nearly three decades. The city’s focus on maintaining and upgrading its aquatic facilities is evident as it continues to meet the growing demand for recreational swimming spaces.
Over the winter closure, a comprehensive program of maintenance and upgrades was completed across Newcastle’s five public pools. This included critical safety enhancements, extensive re-painting, and tile and promenade maintenance. Moreover, nearly $1.5 million has been allocated to installing new heat pumps and solar matting at the Mayfield and Wallsend pools, with these upgrades set to regulate water temperatures during cooler months, ensuring comfortable swimming conditions year-round.
A future project will replace the solar heating system at Beresfield pool, funded by a $220,000 grant from the NSW Government’s Local Small Commitments Allocation program.
City of Newcastle will host a consultation workshop at Lambton Park War Memorial Swimming Centre on August 29, from 11 am to 4 pm. To find out more, or provide feedback online, visit newcastle.nsw.gov.au.
