Brighton Beach upgrade at a standstill for more than two years

MORE than two years after the second phase of the Brighton Beach upgrade was supposed to have commenced, the once flourishing and vibrant recreational area is still closed off to the public

Citing concerns of the area deteriorating further due to the pools not being operational for a long period of time, Ward 66 councillor, Zoe Solomon, said she asked for an oversight visit from the community services committee within the city to try to fast-track the process.

“We are having no joy with the second phase of the beach upgrade which was supposed to take place over two-and-a-half years ago. We know that the lockdown, riots and the floods have impacted the city as far as budget goes. I wrote to the department a year ago asking for when the upgrade of the buildings can be expected, changing the ablution facilities, getting rid of the Dolphins Lifesavings Club as the roof is fallen completely. I was told that everything was on par but the budget has become an issue due to the constraints.

“I am concerned that the pavement above the pools was declared structurally unsafe. It was cordoned off and we were told that nobody should be allowed in the recreational sheltered area beside the pool. The pool area had therefore been closed down.
I am in dismay at the current state of the area. I know that we have to wait for budget to become available for the upgrade and that would be amazing, but we are waiting so long now and it has become obvious that the city does not have the political will to conduct the upgrade,” Solomon said.

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She urged the community services committee members under the portfolio of beaches and pools, councilors Gavin Hegter and Ramona McKenzie, to conduct the oversight.

“I requested that they assist me with expediting this issue to the correct officials so that we can start being taken seriously for the second phase of the beach upgrade or to get the pools operational and cordon off the dangerous areas so that families can still enjoy the recreation.

“I know that we are starting to feel the cooler temperatures due to the winter months ahead of us but even during winter, the area is always filled with families. The area is an amazing place for families and it is free, so we need this are to be opened,” added Solomon.
Hegter said the team inspected the state of the paddling pools at Brighton Beach and was concerned about the structural damage to the slab above the seating area.

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“Due to this the pools have been closed. The planned upgrade was put on hold due to a variety of reasons. We have asked if the planned upgrades been budgeted for in the 23/24 financial year and our main concern is that the area is not cordoned off and is therefore accessible to the public.

“With the overhead slab been structurally compromised it should cordoned off. The paddling pools have been drained to stop the public from using the area. If pools are out of use for an extended period of time the pumps will then need repairs when commissioned again.

“We therefore have requested that authorities restrict access to the undercover area and commission the pools. This would not only keep the pumps functional but also offer the use of the facility to the community,” added Hegter.

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