Mayor Chris Homer at Beverley Whitfield Ocean Pool. Photo: Shellharbour City Council.
Safety, usability and accessibility were the focus of a major upgrade now complete on one of the Illawarra’s most loved ocean pools.
Beverley Whitfield Ocean Pool officially reopened a day ahead of schedule on Thursday 18 December, welcoming swimmers of all ages and abilities to the new and improved facilities.
Key improvements include a new permanent ramp and staircase on the western side of the pool, delivered without the loss of any swimming lanes.
Sections of the pool deck and concrete concourse have also been resurfaced and levelled, alongside stormwater drainage improvements and targeted concrete repairs to enhance safety and extend the life of the facility.
Built in 1894 and renamed in 1994 in honour of Olympic swimmer Beverley Whitfield, the ocean pool is Shellharbour’s only saltwater, round-the-clock facility. It welcomes around 170,000 visits each year.
The upgrade was shaped by community feedback calling for better access, particularly for older residents and people with disabilities, and has been carefully designed to improve accessibility while preserving the pool’s day-to-day use.
Shellharbour City Mayor Chris Homer said the upgrades struck the right balance between safety, accessibility and preserving what locals loved about the pool.
“Shellharbour’s iconic ocean pool is now safer, more accessible and more welcoming than ever. People of all ages and abilities can enjoy this special place with confidence,” Mayor Homer said.
“The upgrades have been carefully planned to improve access without changing how people use the pool, and the end result looks fantastic.”
Construction began in September, with a strong focus on function, safety and long-term use.
The project reflects the importance of maintaining and upgrading well-used public facilities as the community grows and changes.
The Cram Foundation CEO Alisha Musker said the upgrade was a “fantastic” step forward for the community.
“Accessibility isn’t just about additions in infrastructure, it’s about inclusion and independence,” she said. “For people living with disability, being able to enjoy iconic spaces like the Beverley Whitfield Ocean Pool with everyone else sits alongside Cram’s tagline of ‘Inclusion Always’, in every community.
“We applaud Shellharbour City Council for listening to the disability community and delivering a solution that ensures everyone can share in this beautiful part of our Illawarra coastline.”
Lifeguard patrols will begin at the pool from Saturday 20 December.
