[1] Designed by architects Rudder & Grout in the Inter-War Free Classical style with art deco-style decorations,[2] the Olympic-sized outdoor pool was built on part of the Dorman Long workshop site following the completion of the Harbour Bridge.

The pool opened on 4 April, 1936, and hosted the swimming and diving events for the 1938 Empire Games.

[4] Eighty-six world records have been set at the pool by such swimming greats as Jon and Ilsa Konrads, Lorraine Crapp, Frank O'Neill, Judy Joy Davies, John Devitt, Shane Gould and Michelle Ford.

[8] The delays and cost overruns prompted North Sydney Council to engage PwC to undertake an independent review of the project.

Councillor Jilly Gibson, who was mayor when the pool redevelopment was approved, said the review was flawed and omitted relevant information.