The City’s Recreation and Parks Department has opened 13 municipal swimming pools for the summer season. These comes in addition to four indoor facilities and the Sea Point swimming pool which is operational all year round.
“Our Recreation and Parks Department is hard at work finalising swimming pool operations for the summer season. We know that these are very popular amenities in many of our communities, and our goal is to have as many of them operational for public use. There are, however, some swimming pools that will not be open this year due to major maintenance and repair work. We are very pleased to announce though, that the Newlands swimming pool is making a comeback,” says the City of Cape Town.
The city is appealing to residents and visitors to use local, public swimming pools responsibly, to adhere to the facility rules and instructions from lifeguards, for their own safety and that of other patrons.
“We also need to remind visitors that our swimming pools are operating in terms of COVID-19 restrictions, which limits the number of persons allowed inside a facility at any given time. These measures are in place to advance public safety, and we appeal for cooperation in this regard,” said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services, Councillor Zahid Badroodien.
Current swimming pool operations:
The four indoor swimming pools in Blue Downs, Long Street, Retreat and Strand are open year-round, between 10am and 5pm, Monday to Sunday.
Sea Point swimming pool operates from Monday to Friday, 7am to 4pm.
November and December 2021:
Monday to Sunday (including public holidays), 7am to 7pm.
Ooperating hours for Monday, November 1 (voting day) will be from 10am to 5pm.
The following community swimming pools are open between 1pm and 5pm on Fridays, and 10am and 5pm on weekends:
- Browns Farm
- Hanover Park
- Kensington
- Khayelitsha
- Langa, Lentegeur
- Muizenberg
- Ruyterwacht
- Trafalgar Park
- Wesfleur
- Westridge
- Wynberg
The Zandvlei resort swimming pool opened in October this year, while the Monwabisi resort swimming pool will open on Monday, November 1, with Kuilsriver anticipated to open later this year. Residents should take note that resort swimming pools are for exclusive use by visitors to the resorts.
Newlands swimming pool:
The facility was closed to the public in 2017 and has undergone major upgrades since, including:
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Repair of the filtration pipes
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Removal of old walls for new tiling inside the pools
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Paving of pool decks
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Waterproofing of all structural and expansion joints as well as the pool basin
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Upgrades of the electrical reticulation system
Additional work on the grandstand, plant room and existing buildings around the grandstand is expected to be completed in the next month or two.
“Newlands swimming pool is a significant heritage facility and for many years has been a popular spot for professionals to train, recreational swimming, school and club galas, water polo and diving. It is important that every effort is made to ensure that the work is completed to standard. The department is looking forward to a celebratory re-opening once all major repairs are completed and the facility is deemed compliant,” added Councillor Badroodien.
Repairs and maintenance:
A number of swimming pools are undergoing repairs and maintenance and will open in phases throughout the summer season. These are Athlone, Bellville, Bellville South, Bonteheuwel, Delft, Goodwood, Manenberg, Mnandi, Newlands, Parow North, Parow Valley and Ravensmead swimming pools.
The City will communicate opening dates as they are confirmed.
Unfortunately the Eastridge, Elsies River, Emthonjeni, Morningstar, Observatory and Vulindlela swimming pools will remain closed for the summer season for major repairs which includes:
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Replacement of circulation pipework and valves
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Pool basin resurfacing
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Resealing of expansion joints
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Repairs to filtration plants
The City wants to ensure that these facilities are equipped with everything to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone when these pools are ready to be open.
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Pictures: Supplied / Unsplash
