Blackheath Pool: eighty years an enduring symbol of Peace

Blackheath Pool and Memorial Park is in many senses the heart of the Blackheath community and a 'fragile oasis' at the top of the mountains. In the latest in a long tradition of Blackheath community activity surrounding The Pool, a three year concerted community campaign snatched Blackheath Pool from the brink of demolition. The fully renovated Pool reopened in 2006.

From the late 1870s a dam fed by natural creeks and hanging swamps was established. This was the water reservoir for steam engines reaching the highest point of the western railway crossing the Blue Mountains. After WW1 locals began showing interest in the area surrounding the dam for recreational purposes. In January 1919 the area was set aside as a reserve for recreation. In December of the same year the Blackheath Municipal Council was formed – a not unconnected event!

Two years later James Dawes, superintendent of Sydney's Centennial Park came to Blackheath to advise on the potential of the land to become a unique park. The citizens of Blackheath raised 1,000 pounds to finance development as a park. The Memorial Park was established by the community to commemorate those who lost their lives in WW1, each rhododendron planted in memory of one of the 77 Blackheath casualties. The Park it is an enduring symbol of peace, and The Pool of the healing value of water.

Although swimming was officially prohibited, locals larrikins couldn't resist the lure of the dam on hot summer days.  Gradually the former dam was recognised as having potential as a swimming pool. In 1929 Blackheath Alderman Peter Sutton called a public meeting which formed a Citizens' Committee to organise voluntary labour and raise funds. During community working bees on Wednesday afternoons and weekends the dams were cleaned out, graded to the necessary depths and the bottoms gravelled. Old railway sleepers were painted white and placed to define the embankments.

The Official opening took place - eighty years ago - during the 1931 Christmas holidays, and over ensuing years many thousands of happy swimmers enjoyed this special place.
In 1935 The Katoomba Daily declared it “...the finest park and swimming pool on the mountains” [quoted p.155 Blackheath Today from Yesterday (2005)].

Detailed historical information is available at http://ow.ly/7dvms.

Today Blackheath Pool is one of the most beautifully situated public swimming baths in Australia – set amongst sweeping lawns and the now mature rhododendrons, at over 1000 metres above sea level – providing swimming with altitude.

Blackheath Pool Opening Day Saturday 26 November 2011. Open every day of season 9:30AM to 6:30PM. Water averages a warm 23°C across the season. Request a DAY PASS which allows you to come and go as often as you like on any one day – swim early, picnic beneath the trees, swim again later.

Friends of Blackheath Pool and Memorial Park continues the community tradition – watching over this gem of the Mountains.

Have a great 
Rhododendron Festival!
Blackheath Memorial Park (& Pool) sildeshow http://ow.ly/7jDRM

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.