Katoomba outdoor pools set for major upgrade

The outdoor pools at Katoomba Sports & Aquatic Centre are to be transformed into a modern, accessible outdoor facility.

The improvements, made possible with funding from the Western Parkland City Liveability Program that includes funding from Council, follow extensive community consultation in 2018.

“We listened to what Blue Mountains residents told us in 2018,” Mayor Cr Mark Greenhill said. “And this upgrade is a key step in ensuring we can provide a modern outdoor pool facility at Katoomba Sports & Aquatic Centre into the future.

“Building safe and accessible pools is very expensive and the $2.6 million funding will go towards design and construction of an inclusive childrens’ pool, an accessible pathway, improved shade cover and family-friendly accessible toilets and change facilities.

“We have also submitted a Building Better Regions grant application to augment this funding for the upgrade of edges and guttering around the outdoor pool. We will hear about that later in the year.”

Features of the upgrade include:

A new children’s pool up to 60cm deep with a curved beach entry and water play for families.  Two accessible unisex family change rooms with toilet and shower facilities, including four outdoor open heated showers. Shade sails covering the retaining wall and seating opposite the main pool. Minor landscaping to provide more grassed seating and new artwork throughout the outdoor pool area. New housing for essential pool infrastructure with modern low maintenance cladding.

The upgrade will begin in Spring 2021 and is expected to take 12 months to complete. This means the outdoor pool will be closed over the 2021/22 summer period and will re-open the following summer season of 2022/23.

The indoor pool, other sporting facilities at the Centre, and Kids Kingdom will remain open during this time. The other outdoor pools in the Blue Mountains – located at Glenbrook, Lawson and Blackheath – will also be open during the summer months. 

Council respects the significance of The Gully site of Katoomba Aquatic Centre to the Traditional Owners and the community, and accordingly, all works are in line with The Gully Plan of Management.

The Western Parkland City Liveability Program is part of the Western Sydney City Deal (WSCD). The WSCD is a 20 year-agreement between Australian and NSW governments, and the eight local Councils of the Western Parkland City.   For more information and to see an animation of the project go to: yoursay.bmcc.nsw.gov.au/katoomba-pool.

Photo: An artist’s impression of works to be conducted at the outdoor pool area at Katoomba Sports & Aquatic Centre.