It may have been only 7 degrees on Monday morning, but that didn’t stop a line-up for the reopening of Andrew (Boy) Charlton Pool, the swim spot beloved by Sydney’s gays that had been closed for 16 months for refurbishment.
Trading Oxford Street queues for laps at Woolloomooloo Bay, it was a frenzy at 6am as Gay Sydney News reporter Eliot Hastie braved the cold for his first dip of spring.
Sydney’s Deputy Lord Mayor Zann Maxwell told GSN by text that the city was “excited this Sydney icon is back”.
“What better pretext to subtly revive my thirst-trap era than a Speedo shot at the reopening?” he joked, plotting his next thot shot for the gram.
Situated near the Royal Botanic Garden, the harbourside pool is known for its sun-drenched deck, views of Sydney Harbour and devoted following from Sydney’s gay community.
The pool’s cafe was not yet open in time for Monday’s early morning punters, but a coffee cart outside kept swimmers warm.
Despite the cold, the 50-metre outdoor, saltwater swimming pool was 27 degrees thanks to being heated from September 1 to April 30.
During its closure, many regulars turned to alternatives such as Prince Alfred Park Pool, Murray Rose Pool (Redleaf Pool), Seven Shillings Beach or the indoor Cook + Phillip Park Pool in the CBD.
The upgrades at Andrew Boy Charlton included new tiling and waterproof membranes, a refurbished pool deck and seating, a new lift, plant room improvements, and the replacement of gas boilers with electric heat pumps as part of the City of Sydney’s goal to reach net zero emissions by 2035.
Ben Grubb is the founder and editor of Gay Sydney News, an independent publication covering LGBTQIA+ news. A journalist with more than 15 years' experience, he has reported and edited for The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, WAToday, Brisbane Times, The Australian Financial Review, News.com.au, ZDNet, TelecomTimes and iTnews, primarily on the topic of technology. He previously hosted The Informer, a queer current affairs program on Melbourne’s JOY 94.9 radio station, and contributes to LGBTQIA+ media including Stun Magazine. Ben has also appeared as a technology commentator on Channel Ten's The Project, ABC RN’s Download This Show and commercial radio stations 2UE, 2GB and 6PR. Contact Ben: ben.grubb@gaysydneynews.com.au
