The CoE has reopened 11 of its 37 swimming pools in time for the swimming season, which runs from September 1 to March 31. Among the reopened facilities is the Brakpan Pool, now accessible to the public as temperatures begin to rise.

Although the local swimming pool is sparkling blue, a visit to the facility by the Brakpan Herald on Tuesday afternoon revealed the parking area and the surroundings at the entrance are in a disgraceful state, with overgrown grass, graffiti, and scattered broken cold drink and liquor bottles.

Anyone making use of the parking area is taking a big risk because of the large amount of glass lying around. While Brakpan is one of the lucky few, 26 pools remain closed, with the CoE citing various reasons including vandalism, theft, ongoing refurbishments, and delays in the procurement of essential pool supplies.

Again, the Boksburg North Swimming Pool, the only heated indoor Olympic-sized facility in Gauteng, is among those not reopened, apparently due to delayed repair work.

The CoE stated that the overgrown grass around most of these facilities still needs attention.

The other open pools are:
• Van Dyk Park;
• Vosloorus, but the pool needs overflow channel repairs;
• Delville, but the toilets are blocked;
• Reiger Park;
• Eden Park, but battling a shortage of lifeguards;
• Selection Park;
• Faranani (Tsakani);
• Benoni Northerns, but suffered a delayed reopening because of a water leak that needed to be fixed before the team could continue with preparations to open the facility. The energy department also had to fix the three-phase power to the pool.

Benoni High School cut the grass;
• Benoni Central;
• Edenvale, but it is using HTH chlorine granules until chlorine gas is delivered.

The 26 pools that remain closed:
• Boksburg North heated indoor pool: Remains closed due to long-standing defective heat pumps and pump motors. While the facility has three lifeguards and three general workers, it’s unlikely to reopen any time soon because the city is battling to secure funding for the repairs;

• Parkdene: Remains closed due to vandalism and theft. With one general worker, the overgrown public amenity is recommended for rehabilitation, a capital project that requires substantial resources and time;

• Atlasville: Did not reopen due to a lack of water treatment chemicals. The city has battled to finalise awarding a tender for a chlorine gas service provider since the beginning of the year. It’s likely to reopen after a service provider is appointed. The CoE said the tender had to be re-advertised, and the closing date was September 5.

The evaluation is estimated to be completed on September 11, while signing the report is estimated for September 26. Requisitions are estimated to be signed and completed in October. There are two lifeguards and one general worker here;

ALSO READ: Motorcyclist hijacked at Brakpan North intersection

• Kempton Park: Closed because of an R11.5m refurbishment, which entails work on the pool structure, reticulation and paving around the pool. Phase one will be completed in December;

• Olifantsfontein: Remains closed because it needs refurbishment of the pool structure, reticulation and paving around the pool. The budget still needs to be allocated;

• Klopperpark: The facility, which has two lifeguards and one general worker, will remain closed until the city finalises its chlorine gas tender, maybe next month;

• Primrose: Closed because pipes around the pool are leaking, requiring major maintenance next to the pool. Funding must be made available for the major repairs;

• Gerdview: Will remain closed until chlorine gas is delivered;

• Dinwiddie: Remains closed because of extensive vandalism. It is recommended for a pricey and lengthy rehabilitation. Its lifeguard is now on pension;

• Elsburg: Remains closed after vandalism during Covid-19. Total rehabilitation is recommended;

• Leondale: Closed because paving around the pool needs replacing. Funding must be made available;

• Duduza: Remains closed due to vandalism and theft. Vandals stripped almost all the copper pipes. It also needs a lifeguard and grass-cutting. It will reopen after all the above issues have been addressed;

• Kwa Thema: Closed for an upgrade. The contractor envisages handing over the site by the end of September;

• Actonville: Closed because of a R2.6m renovation. Meant to be completed by September 1, budget issues caused a delay. It also needs grass-cutting;

• Olympia Park: Closed because it needs a revamp. The city has not yet allocated funds for the proposed capital project;

• Daveyton: Will reopen after power is restored. It has had no power since August 9, after a substation blew. Eskom has not repaired the substation;

• Birchleigh: Closed because of no chlorine gas;

• Thembisa: Closed pending refurbishment. It needs total rehabilitation of the pool and buildings;

• Katlehong: Will not reopen or be fixed because it is on dolomitic ground;

• Palmridge: Closed because there is no power in the filter room;

• Etwatwa: Will only open if the broken pumps are repaired. The aquatic section is trying to repair the pumps and will reopen if fixed;

• Alberton: Needs repairs to the uneven pavement and overflow covers;

• Thokoza: Closed because the pool shell must be repaired and painted. Staff moved to the Eden Park pool. Funding must be made available for major repairs;

• Geluksdal: Closed because the facility has passed its lifespan and needs complete rehabilitation;

• Nigel: Closed because the facility has passed its usable lifespan and needs complete rehabilitation;

• Alra Park: Reopening delayed because the pump ceased last month. The booster pump requires a capacitor. The site has a shortage of lifeguards.

ALSO READ: Resident demands answers after Ekurhuleni water billing nightmare