Lake Macquarie will be without one of its public swimming pools for the next two summers after structural corrosion was detected.
Lake Macquarie City Council announced on Friday that the Swansea Swim Centre will undergo a complete refurbishment, which includes a replacement of the 50-metre pool, a new concrete concourse, plant room and pipework.
About $5.4 million has been allocated by the council for stage one works.
Stage two will involve the construction of a new learn-to-swim pool, water play area and car park.
Council staff drained the pool in April when it closed for the winter break and initially planned to replace the pool liner.
However, structural investigations revealed corrosive damage to the 65-year-old pool shell.
The council's manager of assets Dayne Harris said engineering experts advised that merely replacing the liner could lead to structural defects over the next five to 10 years.
"We've thoroughly investigated all options and the most sensible path forward is to replace the 50-metre pool with an entirely new structure in the same location," Mr Harris said.
"That is unfortunately going to mean the swim centre is out of action for the 2026-2027 and 2027-2028 swimming seasons.
"We understand this is a major inconvenience to people in the community who use Swansea Swim Centre, but we will do everything within our capacity to expedite the pool's replacement.
"There is simply no practical alternative, given the condition of the current structure."
The council predicts the refurbishment will extend the Swansea Swim Centre service by 50 to 100 years.
The two-year closure is a major blow to the Friends of Swansea Pool, who last year unsuccessfully sought to have the council extend the Channel Street facility's operating season from early August to late May.
The Swansea pool's season runs from the spring school holidays to Anzac Day.
Representatives from the Friends of Swansea Pool were advised of the news in Lake Macquarie mayor Adam Shultz's office on Friday.
Friends of Swansea Pool president Shaun McDonell said the two-year closure would be difficult, but overall it was a "positive" step forward.
"It's ageing. Swansea Pool is 65 years old and we fully support the council," Mr McDonell said.
"It is a shock to us all, but they're going to replace it and for that we're very grateful.
"Yeah, there will be some pain, but at the end of it we'll get a new pool."
Information sessions will be held on Saturday, July 18, at the Swansea Library at 10am, 12pm and 2pm for the community to learn more about the swim centre's redevelopment.
Cr Shultz said the council would work with Swansea pool users on alternatives while the pool is closed.
"We know this is disappointing for pool users, but we are committed to delivering a facility that will serve the community for generations to come," Cr Shultz said.
"Now that the 50-metre pool at Swansea - a 65-year-old asset - is set to be replaced, I'll work with council to investigate whether there are opportunities to fast-track delivery of the learn-to-swim pool."
In 2023 the Swansea Swim Centre received a $900,000 grant from the state government for a new pool liner and plant room. Due to structural damage to the pool shell, those works never began.
A spokesperson for the council said discussions have begun with the NSW government regarding the revised scope.
