Brisbane pools were visited a record 758,000 times over summer during the Schrinner Council’s popular $2 Summer Dips initiative, saving families $2.8 million in entry fees.
It marks the biggest summer yet for the initiative, with more than 2.2 million visits and over $7.8 million in savings for Brisbane residents over three consecutive summers.
Introduced as part of the 2023/24 Schrinner Council Budget, the program reduces entry fees at Brisbane’s 22 pools to just $2, making it more affordable for people to stay active, spend time outdoors and enjoy Brisbane’s lifestyle.
The initiative means a family of four can save around $15 every time they visit the pool.
This summer, Newmarket Pool proved the most popular with more than 92,000 visits, closely followed by Sandgate Pool with over 91,000 swimmers taking advantage of the savings.
Newmarket Pool will soon undergo an upgrade, with a new swim wall to be constructed later this financial year.
The swim wall will allow the pool to be converted into two 25-metre pools when needed, providing greater flexibility for lap swimmers, lessons and community use.
Expressions of interest for the expansion of the Chermside Pool were also taken at an industry briefing last month and the tender remains open until 10 April 2026.
For more information about pool upgrades, activities or to find your nearest pool, visit Council’s website.
Quotes attributable to Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner:
“Initiatives like $2 Summer Dips help shape Brisbane reputation as the world’s most family-friendly city.
“Locals are saving millions of dollars every summer, demonstrating how this initiative is making a huge different to household budgets and our incredible lifestyle.
“From Acacia Ridge to Yeronga, our pools have welcomed more than 2.2 million visits since the program began, helping people see and do more locally.
“Whether it’s the splash zone, swimming laps or spending time with family and friends, this program keeps costs down so more people can enjoy Australia’s lifestyle capital.”
