North Sydney Pool Refurbishment: Reopening, Upgrades & What To Expect

North Sydney pool is nothing short of iconic. In its lifetime, it's hosted nearly 100 swimming and diving records, as well as two Empire Games—and did we mention it boasts one of the most impressive harbour outlooks in the city? There's nothing more Sydney-core than getting a few morning laps with a panoramic view of the Harbour Bridge, while Luna Park smiles over you in the background. Unfortunately the pool has also been out of action since February of 2021—but not for much longer.

With summer just around the corner, and a bone-dry insta-feed begging for some new content, here's everything you need to know to be first in the water. 

Can't wait? Jump to:

• Why Was North Sydney Pool Closed?
• What’s New in the Refurbishment?
• When Will the Pool Reopen?

Why Was North Sydney Pool Closed?
Image credit: Places We Swim | Instagram

Like many of Sydney's best need-to-know locations, North Sydney Pool is a heritage site. Constructed in 1935, it's undergone several upgrades since then—but the council decided it was due a proper refurb back in 2020. The pool's complex and facilitiies were severely damaged by aging, with the aquatic infrastructure in need of a complete overhaul to preserve the heritage aspects of the spot, as well as meet modern demands. 

But does it really take 5 full years to facelift a pool? Normally, no. But as we can all agree, the past few years have been far from normal—the pandemic and increased wet weather were a real thorn in the council's side, not the mention the growing costs of contracting suppliers and general funding. In an open letter to the community, published in 2023, North Sydney Mayor Zoë Baker stated that, "the completion date, originally estimated to be November 2022, is now expected to be April 2024". 

As of right now, the project is still years behind schedule—and $64 million over budget. Earlier this year, the council proposed a rate increase of nearly 90%, to cover the debts the renovation has incurred. It was a slap in the face for local residents, families and businesses—and after rising community outrage, it was denied.

Whilst some may think this renovation has caused more trouble than it's worth, there's no reversing the time, money and energy spent on bringing the project to life—and here at Urban List, we have an annoying habit of focusing on the silver lining. Call it toxic positivity, but we'd like to take a beat to generate a little hope and excitement about what the refurbishment will have to offer. After all, the site has been cherished by the community for decades, and we look forward to welcoming it back. 

What’s New in the Refurbishment?

Image credit: North Point Tower | Instagram

On that note, here's what you can expect to see when the gates finally open. The existing heated 50m and 25m pools will remain, and original 1936 art-deco features will be preserved, including the harbourside wall, sundeck and heritage stair tower. But we'll be seeing some serious upgrades: full competition waterpolo facilities should seriously level up the available playing fields for local clubs, and there'll be an external waterplay and splash deck area for the the little ones. Inside, you'll find a warm water therapy spa and sauna, with a seperate changing area.

We'll also be seeing major improvements to changing facilities—including family and accessible change rooms, and ramps and lifts included for accessible pool access. The grandstand has been completely reconstructed, including expanded gym and health club facilities—there'll be seperate spin and exercise rooms with views of the harbour. 

Sustainability is forefront of the renovation—the original energy and aquatics systems have been replaced and improved for high performance, energy and water efficiency. The council has aimed at a 5 Greenstar benchmark standard, including a range of innovative "green" strategies for water and energy harvesting. These include harvesting sea water, solar/thermal heating and electric heat pump technology—to provide a gas free and energy efficient facility. 

In terms of social and community considerations, there's been a complete overhaul of pedestrian access and movement systems throughout the facility. You can also expect the return of Ripples café and dining area, capturing panoramic views of the Harbour Bridge and Opera House. 

Insider intel

• The grandstand will accomodate seating for up to 970 spectators, with permanent shade for sun-safe swimming carnivals—hopefully a lifesaver for the many local schools that have to travel out of area for their comps. 

When Will the Pool Reopen & How Much Will Entry Cost?

Image credit: Mosman Collective | Instagram

Now to the important stuff—when can we expect to actually get in the water? The council's contractor, ICON, is reporting that the pool construction will be complete by 18 November, 2025. From that date, it should take around three months for the facility to be handed over to council, commissioned and prepared for opening. Unfortunately, this means you won't be taking a dip until early next year—but the council maintains they are prioritising the delivery of a first-class facility which meets the needs of the community. In short? It should be worth the wait.

In terms of pricing, entry fees should be announced closer to the opening date. For now, we recommend keeping your eyes peeled on North Sydney council's pool redevelopment page, for real-time updates. 

Insider intel

• If you want to start planning your next visit, or are keen to head over for a sneak peek at the renovation progress, North Sydney has heaps of great restaurants and cafés that are worth the trip over the bridge. On the other side of the bay is Sails, and we reckon a waterfront lunch is just to ticket to be nosy from afar. 
• While you're at it, make a day of it and visit nearby Kirribilli Markets—they're some of the best markets in Sydney, so you can wipe those tears of frustration with your brand-new purchases.

Main image credit: Swim Venue | Instagram