Residents in parts of Ekurhuleni can look forward to cooling off this summer following the reopening of six municipal swimming pools between September 1 and 24. However, 24 of the city’s 37 public pools remain closed, with no confirmed reopening dates for most of them.

The six pools that reopened serve residents in Benoni, Daveyton, Selection Park, Delville, Brakpan and Eden Park, reports the Heidelberg Nigel Herout.

A further seven facilities in Alberton, Atlasville, Edenvale, Benoni Central, Gerdview, Palmridge and Thokoza are expected to reopen in early November, according to City of Ekurhuleni (CoE) spokesperson Zweli Dlamini.

“These seven pools were temporarily closed due to chlorine supply challenges. Supplies are currently being delivered by the appointed service provider in intervals due to high seasonal demand,” he said.

Despite these anticipated reopenings, a substantial maintenance backlog continues to keep most of the city’s swimming facilities out of operation. The closed facilities include the Boksburg North indoor swimming pool.

The municipality has attributed the closures to extensive damage and maintenance requirements, including electrical and plumbing repairs.

Some pools closed for more than a decade

Several facilities have been out of operation for years, with some requiring extensive rehabilitation before they can reopen.

Seven pools, including Actonville, Boksburg North, Dinwiddie, Elsburg, Leondale, Parkdene and Primrose, have been closed since 2020 or 2021.

Others have been out of operation for considerably longer. Katlehong swimming pool was officially closed in 2012 because of dolomite-related problems, which left the facility in disrepair. Olympia Park followed in 2014 and requires a complete restoration, including new ablution facilities and a filtration system.

Nigel’s pool, which had been in use for more than 50 years, reached the end of its lifespan and requires repairs to its shell.

Geluksdal and Olifantsfontein pools both closed in March 2018. Geluksdal requires extensive rehabilitation because of structural damage to its shell, while investigations at Olifantsfontein identified a major leak in the pool shell. Its associated buildings and filtration system also need attention.

Kempton Park swimming pool closed in February 2019 after reaching the end of its 50-year lifespan. A major leak was also identified at the facility.

Repairs at municipal swimming facilities began in 2024 and are still under way.

Dlamini said the progress of repairs depended on available budget allocations.

“In the case of Actonville, Elsburg and Leondale pools, the appointment of contractors or the availability of funds will determine their reopening,” he said.

He added that minor repairs had been documented at Alra Park, Birchleigh, Duduza, Thembisa, Etwatwa, Faranani, Klopper Park, KwaThema, Reiger Park, Van Dyk Park and Vosloorus.

However, these repairs would only be contracted once funding had been approved.

R942 203 a month for pool security

With most of the city’s swimming facilities still closed and no clear turnaround time for their reopening, the municipality continues to spend R942 203 a month on security across its pools.

Dlamini said security remained necessary to protect the facilities against vandalism and unauthorised use, regardless of whether they were operational.

“Whether the facilities are functional or not, they continue to be considered key CoE infrastructure assets that necessitate physical security patrols to guard against further damage or unauthorised use,” he said.

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