With days getting longer, the sun shining brighter and temperatures inevitably rising, Capetonians will begin (if not already) seeking ways to keep cool by the pools.
According to the City of Cape Town, 24 community swimming pools will start opening on weekends from 3 November in a phased approach, to allow for the completion of facility maintenance, and ensure an optimal and safe environment for everyone to enjoy this festive season.
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The City’s Recreation and Parks Department has announced that it will be opening its community swimming pools between November and mid-December.
‘These swimming pools will initially operate on weekends only (Fridays to Sundays, from 10am to 5pm). From December, they will operate daily, for the duration of the festive season.’
Here are the opening dates:
- 3 November: Wynberg, Bellville, Atlantis (Wesfleur), Bonteheuwel, Hanover Park, Kensington and Trafalgar
- 10 November: Lentegeur
- 17 November: Elsies River, Manenberg, Muizenberg, Newlands, Athlone, Bellville South and Ruyterwacht
- 24 November: Goodwood, Westridge, Browns Farm and Parow Valley
- 8 December: Khayelitsha and Ravensmead
- 11 December: Langa and Parrow North
- 15 December: Mnandi
- 18 December: Delft and Morningstar
Vulindlela, Eastridge and Observatory swimming pools will remain closed for the 2023/24 aquatic season, as these facilities are all earmarked for redevelopment and major repairs.
In the meantime, the City added that the four indoor swimming pools as well as Sea Point are currently operational. Retreat, Blue Downs and Strand are open from 10am until 5pm daily, while Sea Point and Long Street are open from 7am until 7pm daily.
Residents are reminded to be aware of loadshedding schedules when visiting community swimming pools.
‘While the City is actively working on plans to mitigate the impact of loadshedding, patrons are advised to be aware,’ said the City. ‘Facility management may need to adjust planned opening and/or operating times according to the stage of loadshedding affecting their area.’
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The current maintenance comes after the department faced several challenges during the previous aquatic season due to ageing infrastructure and the unavailability of a swimming pool repairs and maintenance tender.
‘The tender is now active and work is scheduled in a phased approach during weekdays when the facilities are not in use, to ensure that the majority of public swimming pools are ready for the peak festive season’ said the department.
MMC for Community Services and Health Councillor Patricia Van der Ross said that progress has been made at a number of facilities, most notable was the major upgrades done at the Elsies River swimming pool, which included the refurbishment of the swimming pool basins, the construction of a new plant room and the complete overhaul of the pipe reticulation system.
Van der Ross added that there are major upgrades on the horizon for the Emthonjeni swimming pool too, which is set to open later in the season after receiving some much-needed recreational relief.
Also in process is the repair and maintenance work of the City’s spray parks in Nyanga, Khayelitsha, Valhalla Park and Dunoon, with plans for them to open in January 2024 while Scottsville and Ocean View spray parks are undergoing redesign and upgrades to address theft and vandalism-related issues.
In looking to the future, the recreation and parks department said it is finalising a five-year swimming pool readiness plan to minimise disruptions and explore alternative maintenance and upgrade schedules.
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Picture: City of Cape Town / Facebook