29-08-2014: Joburg is set for a splashing season
The City of Johannesburg will welcome the spring season when it officially open 46 of its swimming pools on the 1st of September. Another 10 swimming pools will open by December 2014 bringing the total to 56.
This is a marked improvement from last year where only 27 swimming pools were officially opened. While most swimming pools will open for the summer season, some will delay opening due to the amount of work they are receiving.
Some of these swimming pools include; Brixton, Riverlea, Florida North, Dobsonville, Moletsane, Orange Farm, Lenasia South, Eldorado Park Extension 4 and Vrededorp.
Murray Park and Newville will both remain close indefinitely due to the severe structural damage. Plans for the future of the two swimming pools will be determined soon as the City concludes its ongoing consultation process with all stakeholders involved.
However, there are other swimming pools within a reasonable 5km radius and they include ;Ellis Park, Moffat, Malvern, Rhodespark and Hoflandpark, thus providing sufficient aquatics services.
Cllr. Chris Vondo who is the Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Community Development, has reassured the residents of Johannesburg that all the necessary processes are currently underway to ensure that the remaining pools are open between the month of September and December this year.
MMC Vondo also made a clarion call to community based swimming clubs as well as residents to utilise swimming pools optimally, as this is in line with a major priority programme of the department to afford all residents access to the City’s facilities.
In the same breadth, however, he appealed to residents to safeguard these facilities against vandalism and theft when the officially open tomorrow, 01 September 2014 to mark the start of the swimming season. The City’s outdoor aquatic facilities will be open throughout the summer season at least 5 days a week.
