Blue Marlin club drives swimming pool project
● Members want to revive once-popular facility for next generation’s benefit
Precious memories of learning to swim in the Schauderville Swimming Pool have prompted members of the Blue Marlin Swimming Club (BMSC) to restore the facility so it may relive its heyday through the next generation.
Club chair Edgar Maree said after witnessing the destruction of the swimming pool through vandalism, the members decided to re-establish the club last year and fight for the restoration of the iconic pool.
“We started with discussions as early as 2019, but then Covid-19 came and we could not put anything into action,” Maree said.
“The pool was our club’s ‘headquarters’ back then [before the club dissolved in 1984] and could play a major role in providing an outlet for especially the youth of Schauderville.”
Club secretary John Jordaan said in an effort to get the project off the ground they contacted schools in the Schauderville area and intended involving the community.
“This is a very daunting task, but our group of more than 20 members is determined to galvanise the community and show what community participation is all about.
“The people of Schauderville have to realise that it is only through their involvement and contribution that such a huge project can be successful.
“The Blue Marlin club is confident that the response from the community will be positive.
“So far, plans have been drawn up regarding the costs involved, the cleaning up of the pool area, and the provision of a fence around the pool to show our commitment and the involvement of the community,” Jordaan said.
He said the activities would be spearheaded by the committee and assisted by the SA Council of Sport (Sacos) 50th anniversary group.
“Yes, this project is monumental, but the Blue Marlin club feels that rather than waiting for a tomorrow that will never come, we must get involved in realising the rebuilding of the pool.”
A community meeting will soon be held at Neave Park in Schauderville.
Municipal spokesperson Kupido Baron said the municipality was bound by a council decision to halt the development or rebuilding of pools due to the prevailing drought.
“However, we are encouraging the swimming club to engage directly with officials from our sport, recreation, arts and culture directorate, as we remain fully committed to having quality and user-friendly facilities in our communities.
“The facility was vandalised beyond repair, which means we will have to get the necessary funds at some point to refurbish the Schauderville Swimming Pool and accompanying facilities from scratch,” Baron said.