[WATCH] Splish, splash … its open!

Residents of Krugersdorp West were overjoyed on Saturday, 8 October, when they were finally able to take a dip in the public swimming pool after it had been closed for nearly 16 years.

The pool was officially opened by Executive Mayor of Mogale City Local Municipality, Lynn Pannall.

As she unveiled her commemorative plaque, one could not help noticing the initial cornerstone, which was laid by another member of the Pannall family, Councillor Harry Pannall, who first opened the swimming pool in April 1957.

After a short speech by Mayor Lynn, municipal lifesavers demonstrated lifesaving and resuscitation techniques.

“The swimming pool is Mogale City’s contribution to the mental and physical health of the community,” said Lynn.

Pupils of the Krugersdorp Aquatic Club also demonstrated different swimming techniques to conclude the formal proceedings.

At first, the children of the community approached the swimming pool with caution, but as soon as the first child dived into the sparkling blue water, the rest followed with great eagerness.

The managers of the swimming pool say they wish to solve some social issues with the facility by creating an area where parents and children can enjoy each others’ presence.

“With the swimming facility now open, fewer people will be on the street and more in the pool,” said Trudie Naudé, ward councillor for the area.

Lynn also asked the community to help sustain the pool. “It is my humble plea to the community to look after the facility and to protect it from vandalism. I’ll try to pop in every odd Sunday with my costume to enjoy the pool with the community.”

The entrance fee to the pool is R2 for children and R5 for adults. The funds will be used to sustain the swimming pool area.

The pool, which is located in Gould Street, Krugersdorp West, will be open from Tuesday to Saturday from 10am to 4.30pm.

Fun pool facts:

• Each pool has a fence around it. This not only keeps swimmers from running and diving into the pool from a distance, it also keeps tanners from blocking the way of lifesavers.

• The large pool is an Olympic-sized pool and the bottom tiles are marked in true Olympic swimming pool style.

• The pool contains 1,2 million litres of water. It had to be refilled, months ago, as soon as the repairs were done, to prevent it from cracking.

• The pool has a water-recycling mechanism that circulates the water through sieves, adds chlorine and then returns it to the pools.

• Security guards will be present at all times to check bags for alcohol, drugs or weapons and no person will be allowed to enter if found with these items.

• No animals are allowed to enter the facility.

• Lifeguards will be present at all times.

• The facility allows no more that 50 people per lifeguard.

View more photos here