A pool can be a place to swim, relax or entertain. It can also be an important element of a home’s landscape and design. That’s why SPASA Australia and its member pools and spa builders and landscapers are proud to have showcased their latest designs and products at SPLASH!, the expo for swimming pools and spas in Sydney. The show has been a success, with visitors exploring the health benefits of swimming and spas as well as the range of options available for both indoor and outdoor pools.
The exhibition featured feature displays, special show offers and new releases from leading pool suppliers. It was also a chance for visitors to compare and evaluate pool and spa features that best suit their lifestyle, budget and family home environment. The organisers of the expo, SPASA Australia, reported that the event was attended by a steady stream of interested people throughout the three days.
There’s been a groundswell of support for the restoration of North Sydney Olympic Pool, built as Australia emerged from depression and just two years before the city hosted the 1938 Commonwealth Games. But it’s a project that hasn’t been without its critics, who see it as a money pit and a political folly. The fate of the pool has been tied to the campaign for Blakehurst ward councillor Sam Elmir’s local party, which puts its reinstatement on a political footing ahead of December 4 elections.
In addition to its historic charm, the pool has a unique location under the famous Sydney Harbour Bridge. It’s one of six outstanding aquatic centres run by the City of Sydney, and it offers a full roster of recreational activities and community programs. There’s even a lap pool and water slide for swimmers looking to stay in shape.
The pool is open daily and costs $10 per adult to enter, but it’s free for children under six. Parents should note that there’s a one-to-one adult-child supervision rule in place, meaning that parents must be on hand to supervise their kids at all times while they’re in the water.
Swimming can be dangerous, and drownings do occur. The City of Sydney’s Advisory Council on Swimming Safety has recommended that all public pools have active supervision for children under the age of six, with the supervision to be provided by an adult who is not swimming in the same water as the child. In addition to that, a new law requires all public and school swimming pools to have emergency defibrillators. These defibrillators can be life-saving, so it’s important that they are located in easy access areas and clearly labelled. The law will be rolled out nationally next year. You can find more information about this legislation here.