City of Johannesburg delays Blairgowrie Swimming Pool opening despite facility readiness
Residents who restored the local pool at their own cost face frustration as municipal officials push back the start of the swimming season.
A delay in opening the 2026/2027 swimming season has dealt a blow to the Blairgowrie community after the local pool’s planned September 1 opening was postponed.
Although the Blairgowrie Community Association (BCA) maintains the facility and confirmed it is ready to open, a statement issued by the City of Johannesburg confirmed that the official opening of public swimming pools has been postponed to October 1.
Read more: Blairgowrie pool gets touch-ups ahead of September reopening
The city stated that the extension is necessary to ensure all municipal swimming facilities meet required health, safety, and operational standards to provide a safe environment for the public.
BCA co-chairperson Harold Fleishman said it is disappointing and sad that they can no longer open, as the pool is ready.
“We only received a statement this morning that we can’t open, and there is nothing we can do,” Fleishman said. “It is sad and disappointing, but we do not control the pool. We do maintain it, but it still belongs to the city, and if they say we cannot open, then we cannot.”
He added that they are waiting to see what happens over the next few days and will have to reschedule or cancel their celebration on September 5.
Frustration over community maintenance
Also read: Windsor East swimming pool gets a new life under councillor’s initiative
Ward 102 councillor Bea Campbell-Cloete said it is unfair of the city not to open the pool, given that the community restored and maintains it with its own funds.
“It is a slap in the face. The community has worked hard to ensure the pool can open, just to be told they must wait. In my view, saying they have no say in this pool is absolutely wrong and indicative of the level of planning and the disconnected attitude of the city.”
She added that it is unfair to tell a community that has restored a city pool at its own cost that its efforts are futile and do not matter.
“If this is the attitude displayed by the city, communities will just not get involved, and with the level of collapse in Joburg, we need communities to be involved.”
Questions were sent to the city, and their response will be published once made available.
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