Blackheath Pool will be open this year on Rhododendron Day, restoring a long tradition and bringing the swimming season forward by three weeks.
And Glenbrook Pool will again be open later on weekends but evening hours at Springwood and Katoomba will be cut to accommodate the changes at no cost to council.
The decision to "reallocate" Springwood hours to Glenbrook was made after a review by council, which found the outdoor pool is popular mid-morning and late in the afternoon, with most families leaving during the hottest part of the day. This summer the pool will be open until 7pm every day.
The shift of Katoomba's extra hours to Blackheath was welcomed by the Friends of Blackheath Pool and Memorial Park. The group helped conduct a survey earlier this year which found that 90 per cent of people wanted the season to begin earlier and a large number also wanted earlier weekday starting times.
"In essence we'll all enjoy a longer season and increased hours but this comes at no additional cost to council," said the convenor of the group, Jennifer Kelly. "This is exactly what the community has been lobbying for since the pool reopened in 2006."
The Friends unearthed the accompanying photo of Rhodo Day in 1957, showing a swimsuit fashion parade and water polo match at the pool.
As well as starting the season earlier (on November 7), council will introduce earlier opening times on weekdays (7am rather than 9.30am) to accommodate before-work swimmers and those who want to avoid the hot sun later in the day.
Katoomba RSL Swimming Club, which uses the Katoomba Aquatic Centre, had not heard about the changed times. The club's registrar, Vivienne Cichero, was concerned that earlier closing might prevent members using the change rooms after competitions.
"In previous years, squad in the summer does go to 7pm some weekdays so a closing time of 7pm would presumably mean swimmers would not have access to showers, et cetera, after the session finishes.
"And I guess this would also curtail post-race barbecues which we sometimes organise."
The Blackheath pool survey also generated a number of calls for solar heating. Council investigated but found there is too much shade on the roof structures. Instead, pool blankets will be used this summer to maximise water temperatures.