Helensburgh Pool refurbishment enters final phase, reopening pushed to mid-to-late February 2026

Reopening date revised after late tile delivery

Helensburgh Pool is now expected to reopen in mid-to-late February 2026, after a delay in the arrival of tiles needed to complete the refurbishment. The revised timing comes after an earlier target to finish works in mid-January 2026, with the site remaining closed through the peak summer period while final construction activities continue.

Project updates released on 16 January 2026 stated the tile supply issue has been resolved and tiling is underway, but the interruption was significant enough to extend the overall timeline. A specific reopening date has not yet been confirmed.

What has been completed so far

By late December 2025, the project was described as nearing completion, with multiple major components finished or in their final stages. Works reported as completed included structural remediation to the pool shell, installation and testing of protective anodes, and re-rendering of the pool hobs in preparation for tiling. The pool concourse was also resurfaced.

Inside the amenities block, most of the fitout had been completed by 24 December 2025, including installation of joinery, basins and toilets. External works had continued in parallel, with landscaping and additions such as new furniture, bubblers and sandstone seating also reported as installed.

Scope of the refurbishment

The refurbishment covers both the 25-metre lap pool and the toddlers’ pool, alongside broader upgrades intended to improve accessibility and update ageing infrastructure. The overall program includes pool repairs and finishes, amenities upgrades, and plant room modernisation.

• Refurbishment of the 25m pool and toddlers’ pool, including structural remediation, resealing, repainting and retiling
• Refurbishment of male and female amenities with new partitions and fixtures
• Construction of a changing places toilet designed for 24/7 access, plus other accessibility upgrades
• Construction of an additional accessible toilet, along with accessible parking spaces
• Resurfacing of the pool concourse
• Installation of new handrails, seating, shade elements and bike racks
• Improvements to concourse lighting
• Refurbishment of the pool plant room, including replacement of ageing equipment

Timeline: from winter start to late-summer finish

Work on site began in August 2025 after fencing went up and demolition commenced within the amenities building. Early updates described removal of internal fixtures, internal walls and floor tiles, followed by external demolition to support new accessible amenities and improved pathways. During spring 2025, progress reports described repairs to the pool shell and balance tank, installation of protective anodes, and preparations for new tiles, alongside stainless-steel doorframe installation and extensive tiling within the amenities building.

Through October and November 2025, works also included new asphalt for accessible car spaces and upgrades to pathways leading to the pool entry. Plant room upgrades were flagged as a key element, aimed at improving system performance and water quality through new filtration equipment and updated chemical dosing systems.

The current reopening window remains “mid-to-late February 2026”, with the date still to be confirmed.

Funding and wider local facility planning

The pool works are supported by grant funding from the NSW Government’s Multi Sport Community Facility Fund. Earlier project communications also outlined broader planning in Helensburgh, with a separate combined community centre and library proposed for Walker Street, with construction anticipated to start in 2027.

With the refurbishment now in its final stage, the remaining schedule is expected to be driven by completion of tiling and final commissioning steps required before the facility can reopen to swimmers.