Joburg has reopened more public swimming pools ahead of summer, with 13 more scheduled to be open by Monday.
However, 26 pools across the metro are still undergoing repairs and maintenance, according to the City’s office for Community Development
As of Wednesday last week, the number of operational facilities increased from 13 to 20.
The City is targeting another 13 openings by Monday, 19 October. If successful, this would bring the total number of operational swimming pools in Joburg to 33.
“With most major hurdles substantially resolved, the City’s focus has shifted towards maximising operational capacity,” said Community Development MMC Thapelo Amad.
“This includes sustaining uninterrupted operations, maintaining safety standards and ensuring reliable service delivery ahead of the peak swimming season in November and December.”
The City also confirmed that qualified lifeguards and cashiers are available at Joburg’s reopened facilities.
Which Joburg swimming pools are now open?
The following 20 municipal swimming pools were listed as operational as of the 13th of October:
| REGION | SWIMMING POOL |
|---|---|
| A | Rabie Ridge |
| B | Linden |
| B | Verity Park |
| B | Roosevelt Park |
| B | Blairgowrie |
| C | Florida Lake |
| C | Davidsonville |
| D | Jabulani New Pool |
| D | Orlando |
| D | Pimville |
| D | Meadowlands |
| D | Noordgesig |
| E | Zoo Lake |
| E | Paterson Park |
| F | Pioneer Park |
| F | Rhodes Park |
| G | Lenasia South |
| G | Eldorado Park Extension 4 |
| D | Eldorado Park Extension 9 |
| G | Lenasia Extension 2 – Greyville |
Public pools scheduled to be open by 19 October
The City identified a further 13 pools for scheduled openings between 14 and 18 October.
“Our phased in approach of reopening swimming pools is working and we anticipate opening 13 additional swimming pools by Monday 19 October, bringing the total to 33,” Councillor Amad announced.
| Region | Swimming pool |
|---|---|
| D | Dobsonville |
| D | Jabavu |
| D | Diepkloof |
| D | Power Park |
| D | Senaone |
| E | Sydenham |
| E | East Bank |
| F | Turffontein |
| F | Forest Hill |
| F | Crown Gardens |
| F | Yeoville |
| F | Malvern |
| G | Lenasia Extension 10 |
Despite the progress, operational challenges continue to hamper the reopening of certain municipal pools in Joburg.
Coronationville’s pool reopened but had to close again due to an electrical supply issue. Roodepoort’s pool has been affected by a faulty substation, while electrical damage and cable theft have delayed the opening of Florida North swimming pool.
Ivory Park’s newly-completed facility remains closed amid community-related employment demands and security concerns.
Meanwhile, Drieziek’s new public swimming pool is expected to open once snag-list items have been completed.
The City noted that 26 pools across Regions A to G were still undergoing repairs and maintenance, with contractors on site and a number of facilities nearing completion.
“Aquatics will continue monitoring facility readiness, and facilitating further swimming pool openings,” Amad added.
“We will continue engagements with community stakeholders to urgently resolve employment, vandalism and security problems.”