Whether you are looking for an ocean pool, a heated indoor pool, or a pool club, Sidney offers plenty of opportunities to relax in the water. Here are a few of the best options in the city.
The city’s municipal pools are open to the public all summer. They are well-maintained, and feature a variety of amenities, including slides and diving boards. The pools also offer swim lessons and aqua aerobics. In addition, many of the pools are equipped with saunas and steam rooms. They also have a snack bar and an outdoor patio area.
Aside from the city’s public pools, there are several privately owned pools in the city. These are regulated by the city, and their operation requires a permit. In order to obtain a permit, the pool must be located on property owned by the owner or his or her spouse, and must be fenced or otherwise secured. In addition, the pool must be in compliance with all applicable building codes and regulations.
A private swimming pool may be constructed only as an accessory structure to a principal building used for residential purposes and only upon approval by the Planning Board for a special permit in accordance with Chapter 215, entitled “Zoning.” Moreover, a pool must be located on property owned by the person who wishes to construct it and cannot be within 100 feet of any existing dwelling, nor in a floodplain or wetlands area.
Sidney’s newest pool, the Endless Pool, opened to the public July 6 and quickly attracted dozens of swimmers, soakers, divers, and future Marco Polo players. The unique pool features a Dual Propulsion System, which allows two people to swim against the current at once, and an underwater treadmill that creates a great resistance workout. The endless pool is currently only open for aquatic therapy, but the goal is to eventually allow it to be used by the general public through a HealthWorks membership.
Bronte Baths is one of Sydney’s oldest and most famous ocean pools, and was once frequented by Evelyn Whillier, a world-class swimmer who trained here in the 1930s and won gold medals at the 1936 Berlin Olympics and the 1938 British Empire Games. Today, it’s a popular spot for families and serious lappers alike, and is even lit up after dark for a nighttime dip on balmy evenings.
Another of Sydney’s charming ocean pools is the triangular Fairy Bower, which was built by locals in 1929 and is surrounded by Manly Beach. It’s a magical spot at sunrise or sunset, when the sculptor Helen Leete’s Oceanides—which look a bit like dancing aquatic spirits—are illuminated by the lights of the boats and beachgoers. If you’re feeling adventurous, try a snorkel to see the reefs under the water. You might even spot a shark or two.