North Bondi Children’s Pool to close for repairs this month

North Bondi’s beloved children’s pool will close this month for critical repairs to upgrade infrastructure that is ‘coming to the end of its life’.

North Bondi Children's Pool on a clear November day. Picture: AAP Image/Monique Harmer

• Plans revealed for Bondi Pavilion’s $26m upgrade
• Woolies plan for old RSL site
• Kings Cross handed a lifeline

North Bondi’s beloved children’s pool will shut next week for critical repairs to upgrade infrastructure that is “coming to the end of its life”.

Waverley Council will on Wednesday throw a pool party to farewell the venue for six months, while $3.5 million in repair works will be carried out between Ramsgate Ave and the beach.

A report to council in November stated the pool was near the end of its life cycle and could pose “potential risks to public safety”.

Waverley Mayor John Wakefield at Bondi Beach. Picture: AAP IMAGE/Troy Snook

Mayor John Wakefield said infrastructure in North Bondi was more than 100 years old and access ramps to the pool dated back 30 years.

“We appreciate that North Bondi is busy all year-round, and construction will inconvenience some residents and visitors, but these civil works are for safety reasons and must be addressed outside of peak periods,” he said.

“This ageing infrastructure needs to be replaced.”

The pool’s famous ‘Bondi’ mural. Picture: AAP Image/Monique Harmer

The council has promised upgrades will ensure the pool and infrastructure will be able to withstand harsh coastal conditions and high pedestrian activity.

It will provide cleaner water and improved accessibility and safety conditions, with the area to be lit up at night through new LED lights.

The works will include a revamped pool, a new access ramp and stairs, replacement artwork to the iconic ‘Bondi’ mural on the seawall, a modern pool pump, improved lighting and handrails.

Council will also work with the original artists of the pool’s mosaic mural to reinstate it where possible and provide a “refreshed version” of it.

The mosaic would be restored and refreshed. Picture: AAP Image/Monique Harmer

Access to the beach through Bidigal Reserve will be restricted during construction.

Council engineers last year identified major safety issues around the pool they said could have made it too dangerous for pedestrians within 18 months.

Cars and trucks were banned from driving on the pathway above the nearby stormwater culvert, which was found to have “concrete cancer”.

The works will begin on April 29 and are expected to be completed in October, 2019.

Council’s free party next week will run from 9.30-11.30am on Wednesday, April 17.

Families will enjoy free ice cream from the Messina truck and one last dip in the pool before fences go up a week later.

Details: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/north-bondi-pool-party-tickets-56455391596