Roosevelt Park pool opens its doors
From chilly first swims to family lessons, Roosevelt Park Pool is the place to be this summer.
The Roosevelt Park swimming pool opened its doors on September 1, kicking off the season with perfect timing.
Thanks to the recent heatwave, the water temperature was already a comfortable 19 degrees, attracting plenty of eager swimmers making the most of the first opportunity to dive in.
Eugene Coetzee, the lifeguard on duty, has been keeping the pool clean and safe throughout the winter months and was delighted to see the swimmers return after the quiet off-season.
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Eugene brings 23 years of lifeguarding experience to the job, having worked at many pools across Johannesburg. He was a lifeguard at Roosevelt Park about seven years ago and is happy to be back, committed to maintaining the high standards the community expects.
Coetzee recalled vividly an incident during a previous stint at the pool. Arriving for his shift, he spotted a toddler running toward the deep end and managed to catch her just before she fell in.
The grateful parents told him he had arrived just in time – a reminder of why he loves the job.
Local swimming teacher Boni Bowen carries on a family tradition at the pool. Her grandmother, Val Loveland, originally opened Val’s Swimming School long before Bowen was born. After Loveland retired, her daughter Beryl Hook took over, and now Bowen is proud to continue the legacy.
“Some of the parents of the children I teach now were taught here by my grandmother when they were kids. It really feels like a close community.”
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Bowen also remembers studying for her matric exams under the shade of a tree by the pool, and braving the chilly 10-degree water on the first day of spring.
This year’s 19-degree water is a welcome change and makes the start of the season all the more inviting.
The Roosevelt Park pool remains a vital community resource, buzzing with families on weekends enjoying the Johannesburg summer, and providing a safe, fun space for children during afternoons and school holidays.
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