‘Council needs to come to party’ with Brakpan pool building
While the management, security and lifeguards do a stellar job with the pool water quality, surrounding lawn and safety of the public swimming pool, the building maintenance takes a backburner.
The Brakpan swimming pool is crystal clear and in peak condition. Water is tested daily, the pool and surrounding lawn and gardens are kept sparkling clean, and the lifeguards and security on duty make sure everybody swimming in the pool is kept safe.
Inside the building, however, damp causes crumbling walls and falling tiles, leaks in the roof caused the ceiling in the men’s change room to cave in, and a toilet without a tank had to be covered with a black refuse bag to discourage pool-goers from using it.
While the on-the-ground staff do everything in their power to keep the pool in top condition, City of Ekurhuleni maintenance contractors take a considerable amount of time to maintain and repair the building.
One of the staff members notes that it was fortunate that the ceiling caved in on a quiet day, or a resident could have been hurt. If the roof hadn’t been leaky, it might not have happened.
Decorative stone pillars are also crumbling, the pavilions need a fresh coat of paint, and the scholar transport using the parking lot as a taxi rank during the week causes no problems, but is possibly contributing to the littering and loitering around the swimming pool.
That is according to Brakpan AfriForum vice-chairperson Drummond Doig, who is also a neighbour of one of the staff members at the pool responsible for the hard work and crystal-clear water.
“These guys are doing the best they can to keep this pool in tip-top shape; the council must just also come to the party. We’re not here to bash, they’re really doing a stellar job, but there’s only so much they can do,” Drummond explained.
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According to the City of Ekurhuleni, building maintenance is prioritised, and it has a department dedicated to performing this function.
“The city, however, has a large real estate portfolio and is experiencing a backlog when it comes to building maintenance” said city spokesperson Zweli Dlamini.
“The swimming pool section logged a works order with the Real Estate Department to perform the repairs. This is being processed.”
