The long hot summer days are here, but luckily the only swimming pool for thousands of Alexandra, Eastbank, Riverpark, Tsutsumani and Ext. 7 residents has been reopened.
The Eastbank pool had been closed for two years for various reasons including residents’ apparent desire to have a role in its operation. The closure resulted in the pool being vandalised and used as hideout for undesirable characters in the vicinity.
Now the city council has renovated the facility to world-class standards. It has a new coat of paint, a repaired motor, renovated and tiled toilets, palisade fencing, a trimmed lawn and paved surroundings.
A test run was conducted with more than 40 children who enthusiastically showed off their swimming skills. City council official Sibongiseni Buthelezi said the pool would be open daily from 10am to 6pm for children and adults except on Christmas day.
“The facility is for leisure and training of budding swimmers,” she said. “Swimming is a sport with immense health value. It promotes a healthy lifestyle as it exercises most body muscles and tones the body.”
Buthelezi added that some local youths were trained and licensed to work as lifeguards. “This is a professional career which is in demand in all regions. It [the training] provided first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation skills, underwater rescue skills, and develops one into an athlete who can rise to instructor and examiner levels.”
An official reopening of the pool was held and children who attended were assessed for swimming skills and informed about safety rules. They were also advised on dress code, anti-littering, adherence to instructions from lifeguards and respect for other pool users.
The lifeguards requested parents to provide their children with appropriate swimsuits which are available and affordable at many local shops.
The season is from September to March.
Details: City of Joburg; 011 407 6641
