Battle of the JB Marks pools continue
Northwest Underwater Hockey and Northwest Swim as well as DA Ward councillors Madra de Bruin and Werner van Onselen are fed up with the state of the JB Marks municipal pools.
Both Northwest Underwater Hockey and Northwest Aquatics can testify in the fight of opening and maintaining JB Marks Municipality pools. DA Ward councillors Madra de Bruin and Werner van Onselen are at wit’s end after continuous pleas asking for repairs and maintenance to be done at all JB Marks pools.
“The pool at Potch Dam is the only 50-meter swimming pool in the entire Northwest that is still operational,” Van Onselen stated gravely. “The pool has to be maintained to accommodate both Northwest Aquatics and SA Swim, as well as residents that swim at leisure.”
Van Onselen visited Potch Dam pool Friday 10 November to assess the situation, and found that Northwest Aquatics added chlorine to the water at own cost.
“We have been asking since the beginning of September this year that the pools should get attention,” Van Onselen stated. “We asked for money so that the pools can be fixed up and open on the 15th of September. We were only able to open the pools in October.”
Van Onselen explained that there are pumps that are out of order, as well as pumps that need maintenance. “We asked that the pools should be painted and that chlorine should be purchased. When the pools finally did open, they realised there is no chlorine to keep the pool clean.”
Van Onselen stated that most of these problems are a direct result of the supply chain process. “Approval for purchases or maintenance takes too long and affects the necessary maintenance that needs to take place,” Van Onselen explained.
“The Potchefstroom Dam swimming pool will be hosting galas and other swimming competitions for the next few months and requires urgent maintenance.,” Van Onselen stated. “JB Marks Municipality needs to implement a maintenance plan to keep the pools clean.”
Van Onselen states that the DA has written to the Municipal Manager and the Executive Mayor to bring the necessary repairs and to ensure that chemical treatments are purchased and delivered to the swimming pools as soon as possible.
*JB Marks Municipality failed to respond with commentary.
