City turns up the heat on inland pool upgrades
Swimmers can do more than dip a toe in the water during the cooler months of the bathing season as hot water heating upgrades are planned for the Wallsend and Mayfield Swim Centers.
Thirty kilowatt solar panels and rooftop heat pumps will be installed in both the Wallsend and Mayfield pools to regulate the pool’s water temperature to around 25 degrees.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the City of Newcastle is committed to maintaining and investing in our local swimming pools to ensure community members, sports clubs and visitors can continue to enjoy the much appreciated leisure facilities every year.
“Newcastle’s water facilities play an important role in our community and the City of Newcastle is committed to investing in quality improvements to our local swimming pools,” said Cr Nelmes.
“Our inland swimming centers are used 30 weeks per year, from the start of the school holidays in September until the end of the school holidays in April, enriching the lives of community members, sports clubs and visitors who use our facilities for sport, leisure, active living and social connection. “
Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen said the City of Newcastle has committed to using renewable energy for its inland pool operations and is working to achieve net-zero emissions by 2030 under the city’s adopted climate action plan.
“Currently, the pool heating systems at Wallsend and Mayfield Swim Centers are outdated and ineffective, impacting the way guests use our facilities throughout the season,” said Cr Clausen.
“The City of Newcastle is investing $400,000 in pool heating upgrades in projects approved in this year’s budget. Solar panels on the roof generate electricity to meet the power needs of the heat pump and provide additional power for the facility’s power needs with any excess energy going back to the grid.”
Installation of rooftop solar panels and heat pumps at Wallsend and Mayfield swimming centers is due to be completed before they reopen in September.
The City of Newcastle remains committed to providing quality water facilities in Lambton, Wallsend, Beresfield, Mayfield and Stockton. The City continues to lobby the NSW Government and opposition for funding for a year-round water scheme and is urging both sides of Government to provide funds to meet the significant pool announcements made elsewhere in NSW in recent weeks .