As temperatures climb and the festive season reaches full stride, Cape Town’s public swimming pools are once again becoming a focal point for families seeking relief from the summer heat.
With school holidays underway, splashing water and sunscreen-scented afternoons are expected to define the weeks ahead.
This summer, 36 of the City’s 37 public swimming pools are open to the public, offering residents and visitors safe, accessible spaces to cool off.
Municipal officials say extensive preparation has gone into ensuring facilities are ready for increased foot traffic during the busiest time of the year, as per Smile FM.
Several pools have undergone upgrades ahead of the season, including those in Newlands, Wynberg, Kensington, Goodwood, Bellville South and Manenberg. Meanwhile, the Vulindlela pool in Gugulethu remains under major refurbishment, with reopening dates to be communicated once work is complete.
Throughout the festive period, pools are operating daily from 10am to 6pm, with the final tickets sold at 5:30pm. Once the school holidays come to an end, operating hours will scale back to weekends only.
City officials have reiterated that children under the age of seven must be accompanied by an adult at all times, a rule aimed at reducing risk during peak swimming hours.
Following visits to several facilities this week, Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Francine Higham, emphasised the importance of shared responsibility at public pools.
‘Please be considerate of one another and follow the instructions of lifeguards and staff,’ Higham said. ‘Let’s work together to ensure everyone has a safe and enjoyable swimming time this summer.’
To support safety across pools and beaches, the City has rolled out an expanded lifeguard presence. More than 490 senior and seasonal lifeguards have been deployed, with an additional 67 brought on board during December alone.
Officials say these measures form part of the City’s broader summer readiness programme, which focuses on accident prevention, proactive monitoring and maintaining a welcoming environment at recreational facilities during high-demand periods.
As festive crowds continue to grow, residents are encouraged to remain patient, respect pool rules and look out for one another, ensuring public swimming spaces remain enjoyable for everyone throughout the season.
Be the first to know – Join our WhatsApp Channel for content worth tapping into! Click here to join!
Also read:
Back-to-school relief: Here’s how you can get school shoes for 99c
Picture: CoCT/ Facebook
