FAQs — Ithaca Pool

FAQs

General Questions

Ithaca Pool is a HIDDEN GEM! Our entry is located within Neal Macrossan Park, 14 Caroline Street, Paddington, 4064. The kiosk is a short walk from Caroline Street dead-end near the Tennis/ basketball court, playground, dog-park and skate park. We are opposite Suncorp Stadium but there is NO ACCESS from Caxton Street, cars and pedestrians must go down DOWSE ST and onto Moreton or Charlotte, then Crystal Streets, to get to Neal Macrossan Park and find the kiosk/ entry from there.
Email is preferred and usually gets a faster response - you can use the 'contact us' button above, or alternatively, call us on (07) 3369 2624 and leave a voicemail for your call to be returned as soon as possible.
We are open on Public Holidays during Summer Season 9:00AM - 5:00PM.
We are CLOSED: Christmas Day, Good Friday, Anzac Day & Labour Day
Our opening hours can be viewed on the top of this page, next to the logo. Alternatively, you can go to our 'opening hours', which can be found under the about page. Our 'About & Schedule' Page has more info about which parts of the pool are available and when.
Physiotherapists and their clients are welcome at Ithaca Pool and will be charged regular entry fees. Lanes are available for hire during off-peak times for $30 per hour (plus entry fees). If a lane is not hired, the therapy session must not impact or restrict regular use and enjoyment of the pool for other patrons in the recreational swim areas. Lap lanes may not be used. Please check our pool timetables and plan your visit for when there is no other programming at the pool. Please note that these are general guidelines and are subject to change if any issues arise. The lessees of Ithaca Pool have exclusive rights to conduct pool-related commercial activity at this venue. Note: We do not allow swim lessons or private swim/ fitness coaching by outside providers without prior approval and payment of a hire fee. Government-issued Companion Card holders who are accompanying the person Named on their card only, will not be charged entry.
Ithaca Pool works hard to satisfy the needs of many Community members in our one 6-lane pool. We always try to have space for laps and recreation. Some times are more busy than others. Information about our Program Schedule and Lanes/ areas in use, and times, are available on the About & Schedule page of our website.
Ithaca Pool is heated to a glorious 29 degrees!
We keep lost property at the kiosk for two weeks (occasionally longer as it waits to be donated,). Please use the 'Contact Us form' on our website, or give us a call on (07) 3369 2624 and leave a voicemail, or come visit us and see if your lost item has been handed in.
You can buy things such as hot and cold drinks: coffee, tea, juice, soft drinks; food including toasties, banana bread, ice cream, lollies, chips, cookies; and swimming gear, such as swimming caps and goggles. If you'd like to find out more about the pricing of any particular item, please visit the pool 🙂
As the rates of entry are set by the Brisbane City Council, all visitors to the pool are required to pay for entry. The only exception to this rule is a Queensland Government Companion Card holder, accompanying the person named on the card only. If you are accompanying a swim lesson student and NOT swimming, you do not need to pay. However, family members / carers not enrolled in swimming lessons must pay entry for recreational swimming at the pool.
Ithaca Pool is located within Neal MacCrossan Park. There is disabled parking on Caroline Street and ramp access to the kiosk. There is a wheelchair lift from kiosk level to pool deck (6 steps), and ramp entry into the pool. Accessible changeroom and toilet is on the pool deck level. We have a water-wheel chair if needed for entry into the pool (Please note: carer/ companion must know how to use this, Ithaca Pool staff are not trained to assist).
Ithaca Pool does not have its own car park. Street Parking is available on nearby streets including Moreton, Caroline, Charlotte, and Chrystal Streets. Most spots have 2 or 4 hour limits. There is a paid Wilson Parking garage behind Darling & Co. Enter on Dowse St. Surrounding streets are in the Lang Park restricted zones, which means that there is restricted parking for non-permit holders on Event Days at Suncorp Stadium. Please read signs carefully. Check out the bottom of our ``About`` Page for a list of pool programming to get an idea of when the pool (and parking) might get busy. We encourage you to walk, use public transport or ride-share where possible 🙂
Yes, your fitness passport will allow you free entry into the pool for swimming only. If you wish to utilise our aqua or fitness classes, you will be required to pay for these separately. Please sign in using the QR code at the kiosk.

Party Reservation Questions

We have two areas available for Party Reservations:
1. Part of the area under the shade structure next to the kiosk (with tables and chairs)
2. Part of the area on the synthetic lawn under the tree on the Caxton Street side of the pool (``picnic style`` with 2x umbrellas, picnic rugs available, large folding table provided but no other furniture)

If you wish to RESERVE an area for your EXCLUSIVE use, the cost is $60 for 2-hours PLUS entry for all guests (offered at our group rate of $5.80 per adult and $4.10 per child). We do not hire the pool itself. Entry is paid for all non-swimmers and swimmers as usual. Parties can bring their own food and drink - please no alcohol, no glass, confetti or paper/ crepe streamers. Booking allows for 2-hours plus 15-mins set-up and 15-mins clean-up.

Please advise approximate number of guests and ages of children so that we can ensure adequate staff. Reminder that lifeguards are not babysitters and appropriate adult supervision is required. We do not allow party bookings on Saturday mornings during our lesson term (Public School Terms). Reservation fee must be paid before the party for us to reserve the space - payment details will be sent when booking date/time is confirmed.

As per regular entry at this time, all visitors are required to sign-in for COVID Tracing.
Please use the 'Contact Us' form if you have further questions or would like to make a reservation.

First of all, thanks for considering Ithaca Pool! Please use the 'Contact Us' page above (preferred), or leave a voicemail at (07) 3369 2624 - tell us about your proposed date(s), number of people, nature of the visit etc, so that we are best equipped to answer your enquiry.

Learn to Swim Questions

Please send an enquiry through our Learn to Swim tab above - note your child's name and date of birth as well as thier swim skills and lesson experience, and your availability - for the fastest enrolment/ availability info. We usual enrol two weeks prior to term commencement but occasionally spots are available during the term. Thank you.
Ithaca Pool is an outdoor pool. Swim lessons are on in the rain. However, if lightning is spotted from the pool, the pool will close for 30-minutes (from last sighting). Storms can pass quickly so we usually wait and see. Make-up lessons are subject to availability and not guaranteed. This is the one downside of choosing lessons in our beautiful, tree-lined, heated, saltwater, outdoor pool 🙂
There are 2 make-ups available per student per term. Notification of absence VIA EMAIL is essential to access make-ups. EMAIL: [email protected] (or send a message through the form on this website). Please do this as soon as you know your child will be absent - so that we may offer the lesson to another student on the make-up list. Your child will be added to the make-up list and you will be notified if a lesson is available for a make-up at the appropriate level. Make-up lessons are sunject to availability and not guaranteed.

Make-ups need to be completed within the current term. If unable to do make-ups within the term due to serious illness please provide a doctors certificate and the lessons will be credited. No make-ups lessons are transferable to the next term.

NOW OPEN SPRING/SUMMER HOURS! Follow @ithacapoolaus