When swimmers return to the Byron Bay Memorial Pool in mid-September they'll see some major changes.
Stage one of the upgrade of the pool is finished, featuring a relocated entrance and kiosk as well as a new accessible amenities block.
There are seven, heated unisex toilet/showers replacing the very old and basic facilities that served the swimming public for many years.
The work was funded through the NSW Government's Club Grants program, with additional financial support from Council.
"I don't think you will find a single person who would argue that the old toilets and showers at the Byron pool were well past their use-by date," Byron Shire Mayor, Sarah Ndiaye, said.
"The new amenities are fresh, clean and well-ventilated and importantly can be used by people of all abilities," she said.
This work was the first stage of Council's long-term plan for the redevelopment of the Byron Bay Memorial Pool and the Mullumbimby Petria Thomas Pool.
Like many public swimming pools built in Australia after World War Two both pools are reaching the end of their lives.
"Council's plan is to rebuild both pools when money is available but at an estimated cost of more than $20 million each, grant funding will have to be secured," Mayor Ndiaye said.
"I am pleased that we were able to do this work at Byron Bay and install heating at the Mullumbimby Pool earlier in the year, making each pool more functional for our community," she said.
Staff will start planning the next stage of the redevelopment of the Byron Bay Pool in early 2027.
The Byron Bay Memorial Pool opens for the summer season on 19 September.
