For Sydneysiders, pools are the ultimate backyard escape. Serene at low tide, choppy at high, these suburban watering holes are a place to swim, run laps and de-stress in the comfort of warm, shallow waters. And with dozens of pools across the city, you’re never far from your next pool day.

It’s a ritual that’s been ingrained in many of us since childhood. Whether it’s a backyard pool or one of the many inner-city pools, they’re where people come together to relax, socialise and swim. The city’s rock pools are especially popular with families who want to avoid the sand and surf at the beach, but still have that salty ocean flavour. And if you’re lucky enough to live close by, there’s nothing better than heading down for a quick dip after a long day at work.

But not all pools are created equal. Some are a lot more popular than others, attracting the attention of celebrities, fashion bloggers and fitness gurus. Some have a bit of history, having been built by convicts or servicemen and women back in the 19th century. Others are a little more modern, designed with the needs of swimmers in mind. But the best of them are a fusion of old and new.

That’s the case with Prince Alfred Park Pool, which is a slice of summer perched between Surry Hills and Redfern. The buttercup yellow sun umbrellas and lawns strewn with sunbathers add to the charm, and the pool is always that perfect jump-right-in temperature.

“I grew up with a backyard pool, and it’s just more fun,” says TV graphic designer Lisa Gaupset. “It’s a place to go with your friends, hang out, relax and let the kids swim.”

Despite its enduring popularity, there are some who don’t see the value in the public pool and claim it’s a waste of money. But, for most people, it’s a part of our city’s identity and something to be proud of.

A recent poll found that 80 percent of locals agree. “Sydney is famous for its beautiful beaches, but it’s also a great city to be in the water,” says mayor Clover Moore. “It’s the reason we’re such a popular tourist destination.”

There’s been plenty of controversy over the project, with some councillors complaining that it has been politicised and should be scrapped. But others have defended the pool, arguing that it’s an essential investment in community health and wellbeing. A review by PricewaterhouseCoopers last year predicted that it would cost more than $86m.

But critics like Tink Baker, who is running to unseat Moore, say it’s too expensive. She argues that the original $10m grant shifted the scope of the inner-city pool up a gear, and that using funds meant for regional and remote women’s sports was porkbarrelling.