City of Newcastle has used the winter closure period to complete more than $1 million worth of upgrades across its network of five inland swimming pools.

The installation of three new heat pumps at Lambton Park War Memorial Swimming Centre is complete, ensuring swimmers will enjoy warmer water when the facility reopens for the new season on 25 August. Lambton also has a new platform to improve accessibility, while Beresfield Swimming Centre received an upgrade of its solar heating system supported by a $220,000 grant from the NSW Government.

Families in Stockton will have plenty to celebrate once the warmer weather returns thanks to a $145,000 upgrade at their Swimming Centre that includes new playground equipment, barbecues, picnic tables, shade structures, and new accessible footpaths.

City of Newcastle’s Executive Manager Community and Recreation Lynn Duffy said it’s been a busy program of maintenance activity.

“City of Newcastle is committed to providing safe, clean and enjoyable aquatic facilities for the community,” Ms Duffy said.

“During winter all five of our inland pools have received safety upgrades, fresh paint jobs, maintenance of pool tiles and promenades, servicing of plant rooms and equipment, as well as plumbing repairs and improvements.

“New roller shutters have been installed at Wallsend and Lambton to improve security and we’ve delivered lighting upgrades at Beresfield and Mayfield.

“Lambton also received a new platform lift and ramp to make the pool more accessible, as well as an extensive paint job which includes non-slip areas.

“Replacing the solar heating system at Beresfield required pump room modifications and the replacement of rooftop thermal solar matting, which will greatly improve the facility’s energy efficiency.”

State Member for Wallsend Sonia Hornery said she was delighted to nominate the project for funding under the Local Small Commitments Grant scheme.

“Beresfield Pool is such an important community asset and the solar heating upgrade was very deserving of funding,” Ms Hornery said.

“Providing this $220,000 from the Minns Government will go a long way to ensuring the pool is kept heated into the swimming season and provide a more comfortable experience in the water for our local swimmers and swimming clubs.

“I want to thank City of Newcastle for implementing this project.”

City of Newcastle’s inland pools at Wallsend, Mayfield, Stockton, Lambton, and Beresfield will reopen on Saturday 27 September.

IMAGE | State Member for Wallsend Sonia Hornery (middle) with Ward Four Councillors Elizabeth Adamczyk and Callum Pull with the new pool blankets, which were replaced as part of the solar heating upgrade at Beresfield Swimming Centre.