Work to Ivory Park swimming complex progresses slowly
IVORY PARK – The Ivory Park swimming complex is slowly but surely progressing though there is R24 million still required to finish the project.
Despite numerous delays, work on the Ivory Park swimming complex is finally progressing.
The project to upgrade the complex was initiated in 2014 but has seen numerous delays. The Midrand Reporter visited the site on 2 November to see how the project was advancing.
Susan Monyai, acting marketing and communications executive for the Johannesburg Development Agency, said the aim of building the complex was to provide a safe environment for the communities in the area to have access to training and to learn about the sport of swimming.
“The objective of this project is to build new multipurpose community facilities. This project forms part of the facilities that are being upgraded by [the Department of] Community Development across the city of Johannesburg,” Monyai said.
“The scope of works entails a new library, community hall, swimming pool, change rooms, caretaker’s facility, studios for art and a reading area.”
Monayi said the intention was to complete this project by end of June next year. However, MMC for Community Development, Margaret Arnolds said if there were constraints on the budget, the project might be completed in February 2022.
“We only have R10 million allocated and we need an extra R24 million to complete the project,” added Arnolds.
She explained why the completion date of the project had been extended. “The project was stopped because there was an investigation on all projects where service providers were appointed through the JPC [Joburg Property Company] panel.
“Then, recently, the project was halted by the lockdown regulations in March.”
Arnolds said the complex would be used for various activities. “It will host provincial events, learn to swim programmes for the community and recreational swimming activities.
“Swimming at a professional level as well as water safety programmes and recreational activities, public swimming for the communities at large, and professional club and school swimming competitions will be part of the activities the complex will be used for.”
Commenting on the progress of the complex, Ward 111 councillor, Raisibe Matsimela said that she was not happy with the progress of the project. “According to the plan by this time the swimming pool was supposed to be nearly done but after visiting the site this morning the progress seems too slow,” she said.
Matsimela added that they also need a pedestrian bridge for school learners to cross the road safely and a satellite police station in their ward as crime is increasing. “We also need tar roads in our ward – we have gravel roads more than 20-years-old,” she concluded.
