No funds to fix swimming pool at present time
THE revamp of the municipal swimming pool has been put on hold while the Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality (EMLM) seeks additional funding.
On Tuesday, EMLM spokesman Gcobani Msindwana said it was the municipality’s duty to maintain the property.
“In the previous financial year, we put aside a certain amount of money to do specialised repairs to the swimming pool,” he explained.
“Unfortunately most quotes or proposals we received were far beyond the budgeted amount and we were forced to postpone the repairs to the swimming pool until we have enough resources as we are now still in the process of budgeting and busy with IDP processes.”
Msindwana said extra funds were being sought.
“For the time being we will maintain the area around the swimming pool as it is municipal property. The Community Services Directorate will utilise their teams to make sure that the area is kept in good condition as per our plans.”
The Rep visited the pool on February 17 this year and found a clean-up under way. The building has, however, been vandalised and windows broken.
The Rep reported (“Soon in the swim”, November 13 2015) that the municipality had indicated the pool had a large crack and specialised services were needed for repair.
At the time, it was indicated that the repairs would be completed by mid-December, 2015, with residents since then asking The Rep, via Facebook, why the pool still remains closed.
EMLM spokesman Fundile Feketshane commented (“No action yet on municipal pool”, October 7 2016) that the municipality was in the process of identifying a funding source so that the maintenance plan could be developed and put in place.