Blackheath Pool Historical TIMELINE

late 19th Century to early 1990s (source: Australian Heritage Commission’s ‘Register of the National Estate’)

1867 As a result of the rail crossing of the Blue Mountains, adequate and reliable water sources are sought for the steam engines. On the 11th December 1867 the catchment area lying to the north and east of Gardners Crescent and below Prince Edward Street is reserved as a water source.

1883 The first of two dams is built – this is an earth dam which now forms the present pool. The second built some years later immediately below, has a concrete wall and is now the duck pond.

1906 As a result of siltation the railways look for an alternative water supply. In 1906, the Bridal Veil Creek scheme, with the reservoir at Whitley Park is installed, the original scheme being held as a reserve supply until 1924.

1919 Local bodies begin showing interest in the area for recreational purposes. On 21st January 1919, in response to agitation by the local Progress Association, the area is set aside and notified as a Reserve for recreation. In December of the same year the Blackheath Municipal Council is formed. The area is developed as a memorial park to commemorate Australian soldiers’ participation in World War 1.

1921 James Dawes, superintendent of Centennial Park comes to Blackheath to give an address outlining the potential and suitability of the land to become a unique park. The citizens of Blackheath raise 1,000 pounds to finance the work. At this time the water reservoir is recognised as having potential of becoming a swimming pool. Although swimming is officially prohibited, locals do use the dam for swimming.

1929 Blackheath Alderman Peter Sutton calls a public meeting and which results in the formation of a Citizens' Committee.
The Committee organises voluntary labour and raises funds to purchase materials. During working bees on Wednesday afternoons and weekends the dams are cleaned out, graded to the necessary depths & the bottoms gravelled. Old railway sleepers are painted white and placed to define the embankments.

1930 Alderman Peter Sutton uses his casting vote to approve the erection of much needed dressing sheds.

1931 Official opening takes place during the Christmas holidays. It is the finest park and swimming pool on the mountains and over ensuing years many thousands of people come to the park and pool.

1935 The Minister for Local Government and Works, The Honourable E. S. Spooner, provides a grant of 850 pounds - 500 pounds used to concrete the upper pool and the balance used to transform the lower dam into an ornamental lake surrounded by grassed picnic areas.

1938 The State Government provides funds to build the present sheds and kiosk on the basis that no charge is made for the pool or dressing sheds. The Honourable E. S. Spooner M.L. A. opens the buildings on May 18th, 1938.

1939 The Clubhouse and Ambulance Station built from materials donated or scrounged from local business.

1958 Chlorination plant installed

1960’s Local Rotarians sponsor the construction of the wrought iron play equipment, designed by local welder Mr. Dick West. The equipment includes a rocket ship twenty feet high.

1964 Current pool shells constructed

1987 September: report to Council recommending closure of all pools but Glenbrook & Katoomba

1988 April: five year contract for private pool management signed

1991 7 November: public meeting of concern for pool
11 November: Blackheath Swimming Pool Committee formed

last twenty years

1992 June: Westpool insists on 2 metre fence for insurance reasons August: fence development application lodged

October: fence proposal passed by Council

December: rumours that pool shells are failing

1993 Mahaffey Report on Pool integrity

1997 $400,000 NSW State Government Grant & refurbishments. Filtration system upgraded & black pool filled-in.

2002 Blackheath Memorial Park & Gardens Advisory Committee (BMP&GAC) seeks to liaise with BMCC on Pool issues.

BMCC closes Olympic Pool for the 2002/3 swimming season due to water loss

2003 BMCC engages consultants John Wilson and Partners (JWP) to do structural & geotechnical assessment of Pool & surrounds. Resulting report identifies OH&S problems & contravention of EPA guidelines (contaminated ‘leak water’ being released into Popes Glen Creek). BMCC closes entire Pool complex throughout 2003/4 swimming season as a result.

2004 26 January: Australia Day – Blackheath Pool Party called by concerned citizens, to protest the closure of entire Pool complex

27 January: BMCC resolves to remediate/reconstruct the Olympic pool, to remediate ‘Free-Form’ pool floor and to install a new compliant water treatment system AND agrees to the role, format and composition of the suggested Blackheath Pool Advisory Group (BPAG).

30 June: Tender for the design & construction/refurbishment of The Blackheath Swimming Pools advertised.

1 July: Initial BPAG meeting

2005 May: Reconstruction work begins

2006 25 February: Pool Re-opens (repaired freeform & toddlers pool, newly-constructed half-Olympic pool)

2007 1 May: first meeting of Friends of Blackheath Pool & Memorial Park  

More information on the history of Blackheath Pool:
· available at http://www.ahc.gov.au/cgi-bin/register/site.pl?102234 (Australian Heritage Council database on-line);
· and in the books ‘Historic Blackheath’, Rotary Club of Blackheath, Blue Mountains City Council, 1976; ‘Grandfather Worked on the Pool’, Nance Smith, 1996; ‘Blackheath today from yesterday’ P.C. Rickwood & D.J. West, WriteLight P/L for Rotary Club of Blackheath, 2005.