THERE has been yet another setback in the repairs and upgrade of the Kings Park Swimming Pool.

The municipal-run pool, which was closed in November 2024 after strong winds damaged the roof, was undergoing a R42m upgrade.

In a tour of the facility last year members of the media were told that the pool would reopen in July of this year.

That deadline has now been pushed back to November.

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“The rehabilitation works recommenced in March 2026, in anticipation of concluding the enablement works, comprising the restoration of critical components, by November 2026. Given the magnitude of the scope of works, the initial timeframe allocated for the enablement works may have been optimistic, as in-flight specialist assessments are required to rebuild the existing infrastructure to a stronger standard, aligned with an extended lifecycle and climate resilience,” City spokesperson Senzelwe Mzila said.

“It is important to note that work on the project has not stopped. Due to the four-decade lifespan of the existing structure, initial critical design assumptions had to be reconsidered, which is common in major refurbishment projects.”

The news of the delay has frustrated local swimmers who used to use the facility on a regular basis.

SA masters swimmer and uMhlanga resident Carryl van Bassen said she feels aggrieved over the prolong closure of what is a world-class facility.

“I would swim at Kings Park pool at least three times a week. I currently train at Rachel Finlayson Swimming Pool but Kings Park is closer. The swimming community have been impacted by its closure and its very limited with the pools currently open. I know many people and training teams that used to use the facility but have been forced to look elsewhere. I miss training there and I’m not the only one to feel this way but as a community of swimmers we are aggrieved and frustrated by the situation. It was also a great place to practise diving and turns,” she said.

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Fellow swimmer and Durban North resident Sarah Ferguson echoed those comments.

“I think it’s unacceptable and frustrating. Not only is Kings Park a public pool, it is the only Olympic standard pool in Durban and it’s iconic. We need the facility up and running to continue to grow and evolve the sport. When I was competitive I would use Kings Park at least eight times a week. It’s a loss for both young and old. Kings Park is an amazing facility because it supported so many disciplines, diving, swimming, water polo, underwater hockey, free driving and recreational use,” she said.

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