Some light at the end of the tunnel for Boksburg North Swimming Pool
On the other hand, residents of Van Dyk Park may have to wait a bit longer before their public pool is reopened.
The reopening of the only Olympic-size indoor heated pool in Ekurhuleni has been delayed for over six months now.
According to the metro, a contractor has finally been appointed to fix the damaged pump at the Boksburg North pool.
It is, however, unclear when the repair work will begin and be completed as the metro is still awaiting the implementation plan from the appointed contractor.
“The contractor will indicate the timelines when he starts working on the project, and this shall be communicated to the communities affected via the media and other platforms,” said metro spokesperson Zweli Dlamini.
The Eastern Gauteng Aquatics (EGA), local swim teams and community members have already hit out at the metro’s snail’s pace to address the growing problems at the facility, while others lamented the tale of service delivery woes in the city.
Van Dyk Park Swimming Pool
Responding to our questions about the prolonged closure of the newly revamped Van Dyk Park public swimming pool, Dlamini said the metro is still working at reopening the facility.
This pool is among the many public pools that failed to get back in action since the city’s swimming season started in September 1. It was closed due to main pump failures.
Dlamini said the city has also recently appointed a contactor but due to price increases the contractor is unable to render the service yet.
“The relevant departments within the city are engaging on the matter and once resolved, the work will go ahead.”
The Van Dyk Park pool reopened in 2021 after it remained closed for over a decade for maintenance after the pool wall had cracks in it.
The reopening in 2021 came after the metro spent about R9-million on the refurbishment of this pool.
The refurbishment entailed revamping of the adult pool, children’s pool, the lifeguards’ office, pump room, learn-to-swim instructor office, guardhouse and ablutions and change room facilities.
Feeling the heat
Residents of Boksburg have expressed disappointment over the delayed reopening of public pools amid extreme heat in the city.
The delay to reopen some of the facilities is due to long-standing maintenance issues.
Others demanded to know why they are deprived of the chance to spend time in swimming pools paid for by them as the ratepayers.
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