North Sydney Olympic Pool is set to officially reopen to the public on Friday 7 August, with free access for the whole community across opening weekend, until Sunday 9 August.
For Lane Cove, the reopening could mean more than a new pool over the bridge. Since North Sydney Olympic Pool closed in 2021, its regular swimmers, squads and schools have been using Lane Cove Aquatic Centre, the only public aquatic facility left standing on the Lower North Shore during the redevelopment. As ITC reported in 2025, the centre absorbed well over a million visitors in a single year, with Lane Cove Swim Club members and locals competing for lane space against overflow crowds during peak times.
Lane Cove Swim Club, now the largest in NSW, said the squeeze was most obvious in the early mornings and evenings, when out-of-area squads filled lanes that would otherwise go to local kids and casual swimmers. Whether North Sydney’s reopening actually eases that pressure remains to be seen but it’s the first real test since the closures began.
First opened in 1936 and home to more world records than any other pool, North Sydney Olympic Pool will return in its 90th anniversary year, closing out years of delays and cost blowouts since builder Icon handed the facility back to council.
Opening weekend will give locals and visitors free access to the 50m outdoor pool, 25m indoor lap pool, indoor program pool, children’s pool and splash pad, and the spa, sauna and steam room. The gym, group fitness studios, sun deck and gelato bar will be open for self-guided tours, with gym and class access opening to the public from Monday 10 August. Family-friendly activities and entertainment will run throughout the weekend.
Key facts
- Opening date: Friday 7 August
- Free public access: from Friday afternoon following the opening ceremony, until Sunday 9 August
- Facilities: 50m heated outdoor pool, 25m indoor pool, indoor program pool, kids pool and splash pad, spa, sauna and steam room, gym, reformer Pilates studio, group fitness classes, swim school, crèche, sun deck, café and gelato bar
- Location: 4 Alfred Street, Milsons Point
Head to northsydneyolympicpool.com.au to register for opening weekend, memberships and Learn to Swim enrolments.
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