The long-awaited Ivory Park swimming pool complex remains closed to the public, nearly a year after the Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA) announced that the facility was in its final stages of completion.

Midrand Reporter visited the complex on July 21 and found that, despite appearing structurally complete, it has yet to be officially opened or handed over for public use.

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The project has been years in the making. In 2012, the City of Johannesburg announced plans to build a new swimming pool for Ivory Park as part of its medium-term revenue and expenditure budget aimed at improving community infrastructure.

Almost 14 years later, residents are still waiting to make use of the facility.

In September 2025, the JDA announced that the project had reached a significant milestone after completing the critical water and electricity connections needed for the complex to become operational.

At the time, the agency said only the final phases of work remained. These included completing the bulk sewer connection for the ablution facilities, testing the pumps, chlorinating and balancing the pool water, and carrying out final cleaning and quality assurance checks before the facility could be handed over.

The swimming pool, commissioned by the city’s community development department and constructed at a cost of R43m, is located on Freedom Drive in Ward 111.

Once operational, the complex is expected to serve residents of Ivory Park, Kaalfontein and surrounding communities, providing a much-needed recreational and sporting facility for the greater Midrand area. It will become part of Johannesburg’s network of more than 50 public swimming pools across the city’s seven regions.

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The development features an Olympic-style swimming pool, a splash pool for children, grandstand seating for spectators, and several environmentally sustainable features, including solar water heating, rainwater harvesting systems, grey-water recycling and waterless toilets.

During last year’s progress update, JDA CEO Themba Mathibe acknowledged that the project had experienced delays.

“This project was among those that had experienced delays. Following our appointment as the new management, we prioritised addressing the challenges, including the resolution of all outstanding town planning matters.”

Mathibe had said that resolving these issues had enabled the agency to move the project closer to completion after years of setbacks.

“This has enabled us to ensure that the pool is opened, in line with our commitment to the residents of Ivory Park, who have long been impacted by the absence of water and electricity connections.

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“For us as the JDA, this project is about more than just building a pool; it’s about creating inclusive spaces that uplift communities, foster healthier lifestyles, and contribute to the long-term sustainability of our city.”

At the time of the announcement, the JDA said it looked forward to the official handover and the positive impact the facility would have.

However, with the facility still closed nearly 10 months later following last year’s announcement, questions remain over what is delaying its opening.

On July 21, Midrand Reporter sent questions to the JDA requesting an update on the project’s current status, whether the facility has been officially handed over, what outstanding work remains, when residents can expect it to open, the final cost of the development, etc.

The JDA has acknowledged receipt of the media enquiry. A follow-up story will be published once its response is received.

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