Shade structures, seating, barbecues and new landscaping were some of the improvements carried out at swim centres in Charlestown, Morisset, Speers Point, Swansea and West Wallsend.

Lake Macquarie Mayor Kay Fraser said swim centres offer more than just a place to cool off - they are a place for people to be social, connect with one another and to improve their health and fitness.

"More than 345,000 people visited our swim centres in 2018-2019 proving they are a popular asset with our community," Cr Fraser said.

"The additional shade, seating and barbecue facilities across the swim centres will create a more family-friendly environment for visitors to our centres, and will also allow us to expand our learn to swim program."

To celebrate the completion of the works, Lake Macquarie City Council is hosting a sun smart celebration 'A Splash of Orange' at Speers Point Swim Centre on Friday, January 17.

The event will feature live music, free skin checks, free Aqua Stretch classes and lots of fun and games in and around Speers Point Swim Centre. Entry is $4 per person or $16 per family.

With peak swimming season now here, the council's manager for leisure services, Brad Sutton, highlighted the importance of ensuring your child is confident in the water and learns how to swim.

"Learning how to swim is an important life skill for children and paramount to their safety in and around water," he said.

"Our Lake Mac Swim Centre's offer a range of classes to teach essential water safety skills to help you, and your child, feel at ease in the water.

"During the summer holidays, we also offer week-long intensive learn to swim classes to reinforce skills gained in our programs."

The Shade Infrastructure project has been funded by the NSW Government through the Stronger Country Communities Fund and Lake Macquarie City Council.

Improvement works: