Pool opening hit by work delays
BUFFALO City Metro is adamant the Joan Harrison swimming pools will open to the public next Friday, but contractors working on it say it will not be ready for weeks to come.
The metro closed the pools in May for winter renovations. Metro officials had initially promised that the complex would open on Sunday but changed tack yesterday, saying they had encountered some delays with maintenance work.
Earlier this month BCM spokeswoman Bathandwa Diamond told the Daily Dispatch the pools would all be back in full swing by October 1, after it was closed for four months for maintenance and renovations.
However, contractors at the pool yesterday said it would still be weeks before the pools were ready for use by the public.
Renovation work is still under way at the centre, and there are signs it will not be completed any time soon.
Yesterday, the centre resembled a construction site when the Daily Dispatch visited.
The premises was deserted yesterday, except for a few workers dressed in overalls walking around the grounds.
Old pipes that were unearthed were strewn about, with some parts of the pavements removed and piled up on the sides.
All the pools were also still empty of water.
The Dispatch understands that contractors sent through their quotations for the job in June, but were only paid and given the goahead to start working earlier this month.
Yesterday BCM spokesman Samkelo Ngwenya said any delays were due to the work that was still taking place at the centre.
He urged pool users to be “patient” but maintained that the polo pool would be ready by Monday.
“The delay with water polo pools was due to the replacement of motors which are currently in the process of being replaced. The water polo pool will be functional on Monday 2 October,” he said.
“The main and diving pool pipes are being replaced in the filtration room and will be done by Monday.
“But the pools will take four days to fill up. Therefore the pools will be functional by October 6.”
Ngwenya said the pools were closed during winter months because “it is the best time as it is the cold season of the year”.
“The pools themselves have tiles that break during the season and need to be replaced, while the filter room has pipes and tanks that need to be replaced and also cleaned as they erode due to gas.” —