Residents of Benoni, Daveyton, Selection Park, Delville, Brakpan and Eden Park are finally able to make a splash, following the opening of six municipal swimming pools in these areas between September 1 and 24.

However, 24 public pools remain closed and not likely to open this summer.

According to City of Ekurhuleni (CoE) spokesperson Zweli Dlamini, the Alberton, Atlasville, Edenvale, Benoni Central, Gerdview, Palmridge and Thokoza pools are expected to open in early November.

“These seven pools were temporarily closed due to chlorine supply challenges.

“Supplies are currently being delivered by the appointed service provider in intervals due to high seasonal demand.”

Of the municipality’s 37 recreational swimming facilities 24, including the Boksburg North indoor swimming pool remain closed, the CoE citing major damage and maintenance requirements like electrical, plumbing and grass cutting as the reasons for this.

Seven facilities have not opened since 2020 and 2021, including Actonville, Boksburg North Dinwiddie, Elsburg, Leondale, Parkdene and Primrose while the below six have not been operation since 2012:

• Katlehong pool officially closed in 2012 due to dolomite impact issues leaving it in complete disrepair.
• Olympia Park closed in 2014 requiring total restoration including the construction of ablution facilities and the installation of a filtration system.
• Nigel, which has been in use for more than 50 years, had reached the end of its lifespan, requiring repairs of the shell.
• Geluksdal was last open in March 2018, its closure it due to structural damage to the shell reaching the end of its lifespan. Total rehabilitation is needed.
• Olifantsfontein also closed in March 2018 with investigations revealing a major leak in the shell with accompanying buildings and the filter also requiring intervention.
• Kempton Park closed in February 2019 as the facility had reached is 50-year lifespan. A major leak was also detected.

Reparations commenced in 2024 at all swimming facilities and are still underway.

According to Dlamini, repairs and maintenance on these facilities are reliant on budget allocations being made available,

“In the case of Actonville, Elsburg and Leondale pools, the appointment of contractors or the availability of funds will determine their reopening,” he said.

He further stated that minor repairs at Alra Park, Birchleigh, Duduza, Thembisa, Etwatwa, Faranani, Klopper Park, KwaThema, Reiger Park, Van Dyk Park and Vosloorus have been documented but repairs will only be contracted once funding is approved.

With the majority of the city’s swimming facilities remaining closed to the public and no turnaround time frame currently available, Dlamini said the CoE spends a total of R942 203 monthly on security at all the pools, to protect the facilities from vandalism.

“Whether the facilities are functional or not, it continues to be considered key CoE infrastructure assets that necessitate physical security patrols to guard against further damage or unauthorised use.”

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