Improving our pools
Newcastle City Council wants better pool facilities for all of Newcastle to enjoy.
That's why we have developed the draft Pool Services Delivery Model.
The Model looks at how Council can provide the best network of pools and leisure facilities for our city, now and into the future.
- Download the draft Pool Services Delivery Model (3.63Mb)
- Download our pools information sheet (704kb pdf)
There has been extensive consultation throughout the development of the Pool Service Delivery Model, including public meetings and workshops.
The Model was discussed at Council at its meeting on 11 December 2007.
Council's resolution on Pool Service Delivery Model
The priority action of the Model is toredevelop Lambton Swimming Centre as the Newcastle Memorial Aquatic and Leisure Centre. The proposed development is for a regional level aquatic and leisure which will include indoor and outdoor pools, new amenities and café facilities, a health and fitness centre, meeting spaces and a leisure pool."
This is an exciting time for the people of Newcastle, as the improved facility will most certainly increase tourism opportunities for Newcastle and the Hunter.
Council agreed funding should be provided in the draft 2008/2009 Management Plan to progress the plans at Lambton including detailed feasibility analysis and design planning work and further consultation with the aquatics user groups.
The concept proposals for Beresfield and Wallsend Swimming Centres were adopted along with prioritising heating of Wallsend and Mayfield Swimming Centres and provision of playground equipment at Wallsend and Beresfield Swimming Centres.
Taking our pools into the future
The Model offers concept plans for each of Newcastle’s five inland pools which embrace:
- Diversity and something for everyone
- Community needs such as play equipment and meeting spaces
- Current industry standards
- Better environmental performance with renewable reuse of energy and water
- Value for money for ratepayers.
Building better facilities for all of Newcastle to enjoy at less cost to ratepayers is the ultimate goal.
Newcastle Aquatic & Leisure Centre
Lambton will be home to the region’s premier aquatic and leisure centre, with a health a fitness centre, indoor pool and water playground and more.
Mayfield Swimming Centre
Council has deferred any decisions about the future of Mayfield pool to allow for further consultation over a five year period to investigate the business case for the retention and future improvement of Mayfield pool.
Beresfield Swimming Centre
Beresfield could be home to an improved pool with new play equipment, featuring an indoor program and leisure pool and new outdoor water play lagoon and play equipment. Ongoing consultation with will take place with Maitland City Council about future joint venture opportunities.
Stockton Swimming Centre
Further consultation will take place between Stockton Community Forum and the Stockton Pool Improvement Appeal Committee over a five year period to investigate the business case for the retention of a 50 metre pool and future improvement program.
Wallsend Swimming Centre
Wallsend could be home to a pool that attracts the youth market as well as families and fitness swimming, with a 50 metre heated outdoor pool and new water play equipment.
Pools in Newcastle today
The average age of Council’s five inland pools is 37 years.
- Our pool network is losing patrons to newer venues who offer modern amenities such as gym equipment to meet the needs of users
- Pools are costing more each year to maintain due to their age
- Despite marketing programs, declining attendances mean the ratepayer subsidy is going up every year just to keep the gates open.
Attendances at Council pools have almost halved over the past 27 years.
- Our pools have lost 25% of school attendances in just four years.
- Consultation including user surveys and community workshops has highlighted our pools are inadequate to meet the current and future needs of users.
- All assets need redeveloping to better meet the needs of their local communities.
- The ideas for renewal are based on providing a network of pools which offer something different to target the needs of their communities and complement each other.
Council currently needs to spend over $10 million to bring the network up to industry standard with no visible improvement.
- The operating deficit over the past eight years was $10.8 million. The gap between expenses and income is getting wider every year.
- Our pools lack diversity meaning they’re competing with each other.
- Our pools are competing with each other but can’t compete with Newcastle’s commercial pools.
Pools for the future
Working together, we can make sure future generations have access to a network of pools and leisure facilities for families to enjoy.
Further information
For further information in respect of the draft Pool Service Delivery Model, please contact the Facilities Manager at Newcastle City Council ph. 02 4974 5000 or email mail@ncc.nsw.gov.au
