Pool repairs heat tempers
WITH school holidays around the corner and soaring temperatures a feature, those who wish to cool off at local public swimming pools may not be able to do so as some of these facilities are in need of repair.
In September the ethekwini Municipality’s public service committee declared that of the 52 pools under their control, only five were not operational.
But the number of outof-order pools seems to have increased sharply after storms lashed the city recently.
The unavailability of pools across Durban has angered some residents who said they had to dig deep into their pockets to transport their families to alternate available facilities.
Included among the non-operational facilities was the Umlazi BB pool which still required repairs to valves and other fittings. The pool also had a faulty pipeline that needed replacing and resealing of its return jet outlets.
Repairs were also needed at the Firwood Road pool in Redhill.
“We thought by this time all the repairs would have been sorted, but we haven’t received any updates,” said umlazi resident Mandla Zondo. “We were told having facilities readily available helped to improve the ability of talented young swimmers. The youngsters who had started to use these swimming pools have lost hope because the pools have been shut for two months.”
The municipal pool in Newlands was another that required an upgrade, mainly to its pipework and tiling.
“I can’t remember when the pool was last open to the public. The city had ample time to repair pools during the winter season, but nothing has been done,” said Newlands resident Maureen Buckley.
The Clermont Swimming pool was recently closed due to leaks and was also in need of repairs.
Other swimming pools that were damaged by the recent Durban storms include Kings Park, where repairs to the ceiling in this indoor facility needed attention. Roof sheets and fittings were damaged by gale-force winds in September.
The Rachel Finlayson pool is still currently under reconstruction. Tozi Mthethwa, municipality spokesperson, said it was expected that the Rachel Finlayson project would be completed in February.
“All the other swimming pools closed for construction or maintenance will be open on the completion of the work being done.”
She added that the readiness of the pools for the festive season would be part of the city’s festive season management committee plan, which the city was yet to launch.