There’s some good news on the cards for swimming enthusiasts and fans of splashing around in the water as the popular Newlands swimming pool is finally set to reopen in March.
The Newlands pool closed down in 2017 as it underwent major upgrades to the facility that reportedly cost the City of Cape Town (COCT) about R22 million, more than what was budgeted for.
According to the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Patricia van der Ross, the complexity of the existing infrastructure, the age of the swimming pool, and its heritage significance were considered as the COCT increased the budget allocated for the facility, News24 reports.
“The defects liability period for technical glitches are still to be effected before regulatory authorities can assess and provide compliancy sign off for the facility to be opened to the public.
“Due to the many infrastructural challenges in the filtration plant room area, old asbestos pipes and infrastructure had to also be replaced,” Van der Ross explained.
Some of the major upgrades to this popular Cape Town attraction include:
- Repair of the filtration pipes
- Removal of old walls for new tiling inside the pools
- Paving of pool decks
- Waterproofing of all structural and expansion joints as well as the pool basin
- 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.
Meanwhile, a 10-year-old girl drowned at Trafalgar Swimming Pool in Woodstock on Sunday, 27 February and bystanders are still reeling in shock.
According to councillor Ian McMahon for Ward 115 in the COCT, the incident happened at 3:59pm on Sunday afternoon and two Western Cape Government Health, EMS ambulances were on scene.
“Lifeguards fought bravely to resuscitate the … minor, sadly they were unsuccessful.
“The City of Cape Town would like to extend our sincere condolences to the family and friends of the deceased minor,” McMahon said.
A second minor, 12 years of age, was also transported to the hospital by a private ambulance service that same day.
The pool remains closed until further notice
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Picture: Unsplash