Prince Alfred Park Pool open at last

Eight years after it was first announced, five years after site works began, and three years after the first scheduled opening date, the much-anticipated Prince Alfred Park Pool upgrade at Surry Hills is finally complete.

And judging by the response from Sydneysiders, the pool – which has been much delayed by bad weather and disputes with the builders – has been worth the wait.

Since Sydney’s newest public pool opened on Monday, the general public has lavished the facility with compliments.

Typical of sentiments expressed were those of Darlinghurst resident Mark Rumens who described the pool as the best he’d seen anywhere.

“It’s stunning,” said Mr Rumens. “Crystal clear, warm water, beautiful plants all around, and a very calming atmosphere. I’ve swam in loads of pools, including at five star tropical resorts, and this is my favourite.”

Mr Rumens had special praise for the way the pool’s location near busy roads and railway lines was mitigated by vegetation and landscaping.

“It’s a real oasis in the heart of the city,” he said. “You can really come here and get away from it all.”

Comments on Facebook were generally along similar lines, with Jodie McGuren declaring: “What a beautiful facility. Worth the wait.”

Redfern resident Norrie May-Welby expressed her delight at “swimming in a lovely heated open air pool” with a city skyline view.

“THANK YOU Lord Mayor Clover Moore,” she wrote.

The Lord Mayor herself praised the pool’s features, which will be enjoyed by the public free of charge for six months, as a thank you to locals who have waited so long.

“This wonderful pool is going to be open all year round. It is the City’s first fully accessible, heated outdoor pool, with a ramp into the water ensuring everyone can use it,” said Ms Moore.

“It has the biggest green roof of its kind in Sydney, topped with indigenous flowers and meadow grasses that fold over the café and change rooms.

“The pool uses state-of-the-art technology for filtration and monitoring and the best in sustainable practices including stormwater harvesting, water-saving fixtures, natural ventilation and lighting through skylights and high level openings, energy efficient LED lighting and gas hot water heating.”

The pool is the final stage in the redevelopment of the 7.5-hectare Prince Alfred Park.

Previous work included an underground stormwater reuse system, five new ‘international competition standard’ tennis courts, two children’s playgrounds, a new exercise circuit, two new basketball courts and an additional half-court.

“There are [also] new barbecues and family picnic areas … hundreds of new trees and plants … and custom-designed energy-efficient lights throughout the park,” said the Lord Mayor.

The park is open 24 hours a day, seven days per week, while the pool is currently open from 6am to 7pm daily, with extended opening hours applying during the warmer months.