Summer Swim Plans Sunk: North Sydney Pool delays could stretch to 2026.

By ANNA USHER

North Sydney Olympic Pool is facing further delays, with a new report warning that the iconic landmark may not be open for summer.

The beleaguered $122 million project, which began in 2021, was slated to be completed in May. However, after developer Icon further pushed back the forecast completion to August, it may not “achieve completion” before November.

This means the pool would likely reopen to swimmers about six to eight weeks later, in early 2026.

“The analysis suggests that based on current rates of progress, task slippage and current levels of onsite attendance, Icon may not achieve Practical Completion until late November 2025,” a report to be tabled at the next North Sydney Council meeting says.

“Icon is progressing works onsite; however, the date for the completion of the project is being impacted by continuing program slippages.”

Further delays also jeopardised the remaining $100,000 of funding provided by the NSW Office of Sport, the Council said, which must be acquitted before 30 June 2025.

“Council staff are involved in ongoing discussions with the NSW Office of Sport in relation to this remaining funding,” the report says.

Icon has submitted 159 applications for Extension of Time (EoT) since the rebuild began. The total number of Requests for Information (RFIs) is 1,855, with 59 still outstanding.

Despite Council saying the pool’s completion cost remains within the forecast $122 million, Icon has submitted over $140m in variation claims to date – including 435 formal submissions and another 111 – worth $4.4 million – still to be assessed.

“It is anticipated that variation claims will continue until the end of the project due to design and contractual issues,” the report says.

Once completed, North Sydney Pool will have a new grandstand to seat 970 people, a 50m outdoor pool, a family leisure pool with splash play, change facilities, gymnasium, creche, a 25m indoor pool, a warm water pool, spa and sauna facilities, an internal café, a retail shop, and a revamped ‘Ripples Cafe’.