Swimmers have unveiled a rival design for the next stage of Newcastle Ocean Baths' revitalisation, as City of Newcastle prepares to return to the drawing board with its own revised proposal.
While the council's revised plans are expected to be lodged in August, Friends of Newcastle Ocean Baths (FONOB) has launched its own blueprint.
The Peter Shaddock Community Concept, donated by architect Peter Shaddock, retains the open-air character of the change rooms that has been a sticking point between swimmers and the council.
FONOB president Peter Wickham said the community-led concept respects the baths' state-heritage value and puts swimmers at the centre of the design.
"The Peter Shaddock Community Concept demonstrates that there is more than one way to revitalise the Newcastle Ocean Baths," Mr Wickham said.
"We believe it offers a compelling alternative that better respects the heritage significance of the baths while also having the potential to substantially reduce construction costs."
The development application for the council concept estimated it would cost about $39.8 million, while City of Newcastle project information shows the cost at $55.4 million, excluding GST, divided between the pavilion renewal and public domain works.
FONOB estimates its community concept could save $10 million to $15 million, although the figure is subject to independent surveying, and will provide it to Heritage NSW for consideration as part of the assessment process.
Key features of the Shaddock concept include retaining the traditional open-air change rooms, preserving natural light, fresh air and views to the sky.
Another controversial element of the council's design, a cafe or restaurant offering, is replaced in the community concept with a kiosk.
FONOB argues a cafe or restaurant takes the focus away from swimming at the baths and says the Shaddock concept avoids over-commercialisation.
The design seeks to maintain passive supervision and clear sightlines, respect heritage, improve accessibility with modern amenities and simplify the overall building form.
Dedicated accessible and inclusive change facilities are included in the community-led concept.
The design includes a fly-through animation, architectural renderings and floor plans.
Mr Wickham said the concept also addressed concerns raised by some community members about whether women would feel comfortable using the council-designed change rooms.
The community concept provides "clearly defined" entrances to the men's and women's change rooms and a large dividing wall between the hand basin areas.
"This concept didn't emerge in isolation. It responds to the concerns we've heard from swimmers, heritage experts and the broader community over many months," Mr Wickham said.
"It shows that heritage conservation, modern facilities and good design can work together."
FONOB believes its concept has the potential to save on construction costs through a simpler and "more efficient" building form.
Mr Wickham said that when the council released its revised development application, the community would have the opportunity to compare different approaches with the future of the baths.
"The conversation has now moved from whether the design should change to what the best design should be," Mr Wickham said.
"We encourage the community to look at both proposals and decide which one best reflects the future of the Newcastle Ocean Baths."
Last week, City of Newcastle confirmed it is preparing a revised development application submission in response to feedback from the community, Heritage NSW and the Urban Design Review Panel.
A City of Newcastle spokeswoman said the community would be able to make a submission on the changes during the exhibition period, which was expected to take place towards the end of August.
"Community members who have previously made a submission on the application will also be directly notified of the public exhibition," the spokeswoman said.
"This process aligns with the resolution passed by councillors at the May council meeting."
At that meeting, councillors decided to forge ahead with the first step towards leasing out a kiosk at Newcastle Ocean Baths while trying to reassure the public the project was not a foregone conclusion.
A lord mayoral minute on stage two of the restoration works that drew unanimous support at the same meeting asked City of Newcastle chief executive Jeremy Bath to "carefully consider" incorporating public feedback into the next phase of the project.
More information about the community-led proposal is available at savenewcastlebaths.com/community-concept.
