air temperature pre-opening week

1:30PM air=33C

basic POOL info

2009/2010

For full details of all Pool info please see BMCC Blackheath Pool page

OPENING TIMES:

7AM to 7PM

Except on weekends & public holidays 8AM opening

And closed between 10AM & 3PM weekdays during Public school terms (until Friday 18 Dec 09 & from Wednesday 27 Jan 10)

PRICES:
Single entry: Adult $5.10 / Concession or child $3.00 / Family $14.30
Under-3 and 75-plus FREE
Pass-outs available on request
Multiple entries: 10 visit pass $44.00 / Bronze membership Adult $140 / Concession $85 / Family $308 (also allows access to outdoor pools at Katoomba, Lawson & Glenbrook)

Carers & Kids Mornings: Tuesdays 9-10AM $2 per family during Public school terms (until Friday 18 Dec 09 & from Wednesday 27 Jan 10 to end of season)


SHADE:
Five new 3-metre square shade umbrellas are sited adjacent to Toddlers Pool
Pop-up shade is available for grassed area – ask Pool staff


SEASON:
Opening day Saturday 28 November 2009 / Closes Sunday 4 April 2010


WATER TEMPERATURE:
Look out for regular Pool water temperature updates on this site AND on Twitter http://twitter.com/Blackheath_Pool

Rhodo Parade Saturday 7-Nov-09

Watch for the Blackheath Pool float!

2009-10 season

Swimming season commences Saturday 28th November 2009 & concludes Sunday 4th April 2010)

*N.B. exceptions: Pool opens 8AM weekends & public holidays,
closed 10am to 3pm weekdays during Public school terms (until Friday 18 Dec 09 & from Wednesday 27 Jan 10)

Hours & season

On Tuesday 8-Sep-2009 Councillor Terri Hamilton presents a report to BMCC - it is Item 4 on the Agenda: BLACKHEATH POOL - FRIENDS OF BLACKHEATH POOL & MEMORIAL PARK FEEDBACK REPORT FILE NO: F03249 - 09/135992.

Reason for report
A report on the opening hours for the Blackheath Pool was considered at the Council Meeting of 14 April 2009. While the recommendations for the amended hours of operation for the Pool were adopted by the Council, a further report was sought:
“6. That Council notes that Cr Hamilton will present a report to the next Council Meeting providing FoBP&MP’s detailed analysis and feedback on this report.”

The Friends of Blackheath Pool and Memorial Park (FoBP&MP) feedback report [available from this link]  was received on 7 August 2009 and is attached to this report.

Draft Plan of Management for Blackheath Memorial Park

A Public Information Meeting will be held at the Blackheath Community Hall on Saturday 15 August 2009 from 11:00am - 3:00pm to discuss the Plan - you're encouraged to attend.

An online discussion forum is available at
www.bangthetable.com/blackheathmemorialpark
This will also form part of the feedback process.



Blackheath Memorial Park Draft Plan of Management has been adopted for exhibition as a resolution of the Council Meeting of 16 June 2009. The draft Plan of Management is currently on Public Exhibition until Friday 28 August 2009. The draft Plan of Management may be downloaded here - but be advised it's 3.2MB - so will take so time if you have a slow internet connection.

80 YEARS YOUNG

Blackheathens will have been enjoying a swim BLACKHEATH POOL for 80 YEARS as the 2009/10 season opens!

"In 1929 The Citizen’s Committee was formed and carried out considerable amount of work by voluntary labour to convert the old upper dam into a swimming pool. Pool ready for use in the summer of 1929/30. As soon as work finished on the conversion of the old railway dam into a swimming pool a group of local residents established a swimming club. Theclub existed for nearly 50 years and conducted competitive swimming, water ballets and other types of aquatic events in the pool." excerpted from BMCC's Blackheath Memorial Park Draft Plan of Management July 2009 p.68

NEXT SWIMMING SEASON

*Pool will open 7AM to 7PM except on weekends & public holidays 8AM opening, and close between 10AM & 3PM weekdays during school terms

"A place of continuing recreational and social significance"

In 1991 Pearl Beach rock pool was heritage listed by the National Trust and provided with a heritage plaque stating that it is 'A place of continuing recreational and social significance'




more...
on Flickr photostream
on New South Wales Ocean Baths website

Swimming: Cabarita Pool

Swimming: Cabarita Pool
The pics in Sally's post remind me there's more than one way to fence a public pool - *glass & steel* certainly makes for a far less visually intrusive barrier.

once upon a time...

14 April 09 BMCC unanimously resolves to extend hours next season

MINUTE NO. 128
12. F03249 - 09/66343. Blackheath Pool Opening Season and Operating Hours

The meeting was addressed by Jennifer Kelly on behalf of FoBP&MP.

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY on the MOTION of Councillors Hamilton and Mays:
1. That the Council receives and notes this report on options and costs of extending the season and opening hours for the Blackheath Pool.

2. That the Blackheath Pool opening season remains at the current 4 months from December to March inclusive, and is reviewed during coming seasons in consultation with the Friends of Blackheath Pool and Memorial Park (FoBP&MP) and the community.

3. That the Blackheath Pool opening hours are extended to:

• 7:00am – 10:00am and 3:00pm – 7:00pm weekdays, during school terms;
• 8:00am – 7:00pm weekends and public holidays;
• 7:00am – 7:00pm weekdays during the school holidays; and
• 8:00am – 7:00 pm public holidays during school holidays.
  
  And are reviewed during coming seasons in consultation with FoBP&MP and the community.

4. That Council does not endorse the use of volunteer lifeguards in Blue Mountains pools.

5. That Council notes the comments of FoBP&MP that the culture of pool usage has diminished over the three years Blackheath Pool was closed and has since not recovered and that FoBP&MP seeks a vigorous, targeted promotional campaign by Council ahead of the 2009/10 season, in which FoBP&MP will actively participate.

6. That Council notes that Cr Hamilton will present a report to the next Council Meeting providing FoBP&MP’s detailed analysis and feedback on this report.

* * * * * * * * *

Water temperature - latest info

If current water temperature info isn't showing below, click bold header above for later updates.

Wed 25 March 2009 10AM air 22.1 WATER 21.5

[just FOUR swimming days til closing day SUNDAY 29th]

Spotless Record [letter to BMG]

Dear Sir,

It’s with some sadness we read of assertions that our beautiful pool is tainted! (SMH Saturday 28 Feb 09)

Blackheath Pool has a spotless health record.

The pool had a brand new filtration system installed just three years ago. Visitors remark on the crystalline quality of the water. We swim there each day, and have done since mid-November with no ill effects!

So we want to reassure visitors that all’s well at Blackheath Pool & the water has maintained a very pleasant temperature – not dipping below 23⁰C for most of the season.

Regards,

Simon Hare & Jennifer Kelly on behalf of Friends of Blackheath Pool & Memorial Park.

How to add comments

**Adding comments is referred as ‘posting’.
As this is an open website, anyone can add a comment

**Don’t worry - you can’t damage any content already posted

**And, you get an opportunity to ‘Preview’ your post before you send it. Also, all comments are vetted by the moderator (me) before they’re published – so if you make a mistake it won’t appear!)

Here are the steps to post your comment:

1. Choose which subject you want to comment on
   – from the list on the right side of the page - area with dark green background >>>>> ;
2. Click on a subject to open it;
3. Scroll down to Post a Comment & begin typing in the white area;
4. Click Comment as: then either choose Name/URL – type your name (the ‘URL’ field is optional, so you can ignore it if you wish) OR choose Anonymous. Or if you already have a Google account you have the option to use it.
5. For security purposes you’ll be then be presented with a ‘word verification’ – this is a nonsense word e.g. “obagoo” – simply type it into the field to confirm;
6. Preview if you wish to check your finished text;
7. Then click Post – this sends an email to the moderator (me) who checks, then publishes.

email from Andy & Ros Doldissen

Subject: Blackheath Swimming Pool is closed?

Date: Tue, 3 Feb 2009 10:44:59 +1100

To the Mayor

How disappointed my wife and I were on our trip returning from Orange to Sydney when we stopped in at Blackheath looking forward to a refreshing swim in the pool only to find it closed. This was 11.30am on Monday the 2nd of Feb 2009. Here we are in the middle of summer with a local pool closed during the middle of the day. We looked at each other dumbfounded, a beautiful summers day, a wonderful park and gardens, a great public facility - the Blackheath swimming pool - all locked up?????

Yes, I read your pool sign stating opening times, Mon-Fri 7.30am - 11am & 3.30pm - 6.30pm, while this may be suitable for some locals it certainly doesn't suit travellers to Blackheath who are more likely to arrive late morning and leave early afternoon.

All I can ask is Why?


PS I have fond memories, as a child, of our family driving up the mountains to swim in the pool at Blackheath and picnic in the park.

Andy & Ros Doldissen
Clements St
Russell Lea 2046
NSW

l-l-links

View Larger Map

Blackheath Pool Open at Last!

Blue Mountains City Council - Blackheath Pool

Blackheath Memorial Park Plan of Management

Australian Heritage Council

SEARCH Australian Heritage Database

type in place details as follows:
Blackheath Memorial Park, Blackheath, NSW

other Pools & swimming
Lithgow Pool
Andrew Boy Charlton Pool (100th birthday 2008-09 season)
New South Wales Ocean Baths
Sally's Swimming blog: loads of info on Pools
Swimmers Guide to Pools all over the world

overseas:
Lidos in the United Kingdom compiled by Oliver Merrington
London Pools Campaign
Derelict Pools of London fascinating historical pics

FOI Freedom Of Information Archives at SMH

WATER TEMPerature log

December 08

Fri 05/12/2008 air 10.4-25.3 water 24.5
Sat 06/12/2008 air 17.9-25.8 water 24.5

January 09

Thu 15/01/2009 air 21.2-32.5 water 24.5

Mon 19/01/2009 air 10.3-27.9 water 22.0
Tue 20/01/2009 air 17.6-30.8 water 25.0

Mon 26/01/2009 air 12.5-25.0 water 25.5
Tue 27/01/2009 air 16.0-24.0 water 25.5
Wed 28/01/2009 11AM air 25.2 water 26.0
Wed 29/01/2009 3PM air 29.6 water 28.0
Sat 31/01/2009 3PM air 31.8 water 26.0

February 09

Mon 02/02/2009 7.30AM air 15.0 water 21.0

Mon 02/02/2009 3PM air 28.5 water 28.0

Wed 04/02/2009 3PM air 23.2 water 26.0

Fri 06/02/2009 6PM air 30.3 water 26.0+
Sat 07/02/2009 6PM air 32.7 water 26.0+ "bath temp"
Sun 08/02/2009 11AM air 29.3 water 26.0+

Thu 12/02/2009 4PM air 11.0 water 21.0

Sat 21/02/2009 11AM air 19.6 water 21.7

Sun 22/02/2009 3PM air 19.4 water 22.0

Mon 23/2/2009 7.15AM air 15 WATER 22.0

Sat 28/2/09 10.15AM air 20 WATER 23.1

March 09

Sun 1/3/2009 11.15AM air 18.3 WATER 23.0

Wed 4/3/2009 3.30PM air 15.2 WATER 23.5

WELCOME

Welcome to the website of Friends of Blackheath Pool & Memorial Park.

FoBP&MP meets regularly to discuss any & all matters concerning the Pool, and we feedback our ideas & deliberations to elected Councillors & BMCC Aquatic Centre management. Some FoBP&MP core members were intimately involved the Save the Pool campaign (2003/4), and on the advisory group to Council during Pool reconstruction (2004-6).

FoBP&MP views Blackheath Pool as a vital community asset, a keystone of Blackheath community life – historically, now and into the future. It’s a place where our community meets in summer – it’s our town-square!

In 1921 citizens of Blackheath raised £1,000 to finance work on establishing the Memorial Park. The Pool was converted from a railway dam by volunteers in the 1920s & 30s: “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.” The grand opening was held during the Christmas holiday in 1931 [for more detail see Historical TIMELINE ].

In 2003 the Pool was closed by Council when structural integrity failed & chlorinated water began leaking into Popes Glen Creek. On Australia Day 2004 concerned citizens organised the Blackheath Pool Party (without a Pool), to protest the closure – 500 people gathered in the Park for a community photo. The next day Council voted unanimously to reconstruct the Olympic Pool, install a new water treatment system and shade cover over the toddlers pool [for photo & more detail see Four Years Ago].

The refurbished Pool complex opened on 25th February 2006.
So the 2008/09 season is the third full season of the new Pool.

Please feel free to leave any comments or suggestions about Blackheath Pool on this website.

Thank you for your interest, Friends of Blackheath Pool & Memorial Park.

FoBP&MP information

Friends of Blackheath Pool & Memorial Park meets second Tuesday of the month at Blackheath Area Neighbourhood Centre (BANC), or leave comments on this blog.

One moment....

We pay respect to those who have lost so much in the Victorian bushfires. People like us, who live in close-knit mountain communities, within a bushland we all love & respect. We send heartfelt condolences to our fellow citizens in their hours of challenge.

NEXT YEAR - suggestions for 2009/10 season

Now we've enjoyed a full, warm, well attended season - what would we like to see next year?

SHADE? Food outlet? Changed hours?

more SHADE

...a perennial concern.

Extra shade-sails have been in use occasionally. They are anchored between the Toddlers Pool blue-pyramid sail AND perimetre fence. BMCC proposed they would be in place EVERY day to afford extra shade. FoBP&MP notes this has NOT occured.

They were in place over the last weekend, but on Saturday afternoon had ?collapsed? against the fence.

Lifeguards

This morning I introduced myself (as rep of FoBp&MP) to lifeguard Reece. Reece will be rostered casually at Blackheath. [Other lifeguards are both named Rebecca]

Reece said Pool temperature at 11AM today was 25.9C - as warm as outdoor pools at Katoomba & Lawson. Both are artificially heated to maintain a constant 26C temperature.

2003-04 campaigning...

Pool looking sad, green & used only by the ducks, October 04

Veggie Patch installation by Lisa Armitage, February 05



campaign T-Shirt by Bindi-Eye Dears (D. Cretney & J. Ross), January 04

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.

SEVEN YEARS AGO

Press Release [*28 January 2004*]

COMMUNITY ACTION SAVES POOL

A unanimous decision by Council at it’s 27 January meeting has secured the future of Blackheath Pool. The Olympic Pool is to be reconstructed, a new water treatment system installed and toddlers will have shade cover. Crucial to community concerns was the retention of the ‘free-from’ pool. Council has undertaken to repair & remediate this pool too. The public gallery was crowded to overflowing at last night’s Council meeting to hear five speakers in favour of Blackheath Pool - Owen Kelly, Libby Sorby-Adams, Lisa Armitage, Dick Harris & Doug Spiller.

The meeting followed Australia Day’s highly successful ‘Blackheath Pool Party’. More than 500 local residents & supporters gathered at Blackheath Pool for rather unusual Australia Day celebration – a Pool Party without a Pool!! The event highlighted Council’s closure of the pool complex this swimming season. Speakers told of the great affection Blackheath community has for its Pool, and underscored its critical value to the social fabric of the town. “It’s not just a swimming pool, it’s the social heart of our village” said Lisa Armitage, “we’re angry and confused – they’re just bamboozling us!”

At last night’s meeting Councillor Terri Hamilton presented a petition of more than 1,500 signatures and 180 letters of complaint to Michael Willis from concerned Blackheath residents & visitors. The result of her amended motion at Council was that the Olympic Pool is expected to open for next swimming season. “We’re happy with this result” said Simon Hare an organiser of the Pool Party, “but we recognise that though this battle is won, we must keep a watching brief on progress”.

2008-9 season hours & prices brochures

OPENING HOURS 2008/09 SEASON

Blackheath Pool opening hours

Mon-Fri 7:30-11 & 3:30-6:30

Weekends & School Hols 10:30-6:30

(to 7:30pm on warm Fri & Sat evenings)
More at BMCC website