City of Newcastle has locked in a contractor to begin upgrading Newcastle Ocean Baths.
The council voted on Tuesday night to award a contract to Daracon Contractors Pty Ltd to refurbish the pool and lower concourse.
The company was one of six to tender for the works - which will cost more than $13 million - and had been recommended by staff.
The council is funding the project through civic building sales and with a $3 million NSW government grant.
Lord mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the upgrade was well overdue but it had "taken this council to take the bull by the horns" to facilitate the works.
"It has been a long road to get here," she said.
"It was always going to take many steps ... and there have been bumps along the way, I acknowledge that.
"It attracts visitors and people from all over the Lower Hunter and is an iconic part of our coastline, and has not been looked after by previous councils.
"I'm really pleased that we're at the point now of awarding a tender.
"In its 100th year, it's going to be fully restored."
Cr Carol Duncan said it was "remarkable that they have lasted a century" but the works would ensure "generations of more Novocastrians" enjoy the facility.
Newcastle Ocean Baths and its car park will remain open this summer before closing in March for at least a year.
The works are considered stage one of the facility's upgrade with consultation for improvements to the site's upper concourse and pavilion not yet completed.
Deputy lord mayor Declan Clausen said he hoped awarding the tender would put "some of the divisive politics behind us".
Greens councillor John Mackenzie asked staff to respond to the concerns of some community members who believe concreting the pool's floor will impact the user experience.
"What assurance can you provide that there will be sand at the bottom of Newcastle Ocean Baths as a result of these works?" he said.
The acting director of infrastructure reiterated previous council statements that the upgrade would "not change the natural overtopping process".
