It’s the summer of 1960. John F Kennedy is elected president, Chubby Checker kicks off a dance craze with his hit song, “The Twist,” and Sidney adults and children head to their local pools for some cool, refreshing swimming. One such pool is the Andrew (Boy) Charlton Pool, which was recently refurbished to become one of Sydney’s most popular spots for a quick swim. “This is my family’s favorite place to go swimming,” says a local mother who is taking her two young daughters and son out for a swim.
“It’s a really beautiful place to come, and the kids enjoy it.” It’s an ideal location for a pool, because it is surrounded by lush trees and is right off of the ocean. And it’s free. That’s not a bad deal for a town that’s famous for its expensive living.
This state-of-the-art pool was constructed for the 2000 Olympics, so it’s no surprise that the waters here are some of the best in the world. The pool is home to the Australian Olympic swimming team, including Ian Thorpe, so it’s no wonder that swimmers and swimmers-to-be come here to train.
The pool is designed with a mix of shallow and deep pools, so that it’s a great place to spend the day. There are also plenty of amenities, including picnic areas and shade. The staff is friendly, and the facilities are well-maintained. The only downside is the crowds, which are a result of its popularity.
Another great feature of this pool is the fact that it’s free for anyone to use, including residents. There are even water slides for the whole family to enjoy. You can also rent a locker for the day for $10.
As the city grows and densifies, new pools are becoming necessary to serve the needs of a growing population. Two new pools illustrate the point: Gunyama Park Aquatic Centre opened this week in Green Square and a revamped Parramatta pool is set to open next year. Both are designed by the same architectural firm, which is known for a slew of high-profile projects around Australia, from Melbourne’s Southern Cross Station to Sydney’s new CBD and South East Light Rail stops. Both are a bit glam, but they’re welcome additions to our city’s swimming infrastructure.
Rising sea levels are a looming threat to many ocean pools, and the ones that are flushed out by swells will have to be raised to keep up with water levels. That will change how they function, Nicole Larkin, an architect and designer who specialises in ocean pools, told Jordan. “The bottoms will have to be lifted, and there will come a time when that can’t be done,” she said.