Barbertonians demand answers about the future of the public pool

Barberton Times has recently been informed that the public swimming pool might be sold and chances are good that it will be demolished by the new owner.

Several members of the community have requested that the paper investigate this matter. They said that it is a cause for concern and should there be any truth to the rumours, they will have a petition drawn up in order to oppose it.

Should the pool be demolished, parents with children participating in swimming as a sport will have to drive through to Mbombela numerous times a week.

As most years, Barberton Primary will host a swimming gala at the public pool on Thursday where nine Lowveld schools, including Barberton, will participate. They are Malelane, Komatipoort, White River and Nelspruit primary schools, as well as Laerskool Bergland, Curro, Uplands College and Penryn College.

Speaking about the gala that was hosted in Barberton last year, Sheryn Nader, parent of two talented young swimmers, said, “By hosting these galas, we are bringing many swimmers from our province to Barberton and in doing so, we are also promoting our beautiful town to people who would otherwise never get here. I find it sad. If I am mistaken and this is good for our town, I would love for someone to explain it to me.”

After many attempts to get in touch with the director of community services, Comfort Makhanya, he replied on Thursday morning via an email which read, “Please refer your questions to the municipal manager, Patrick Msibi, who will in turn instruct me to respond if he deems it necessary.”

Barberton Times is awaiting a response from Msibi and will inform the community of any developments.