Springs’ Olympia Park Pool lies in ruins after a decade of neglect
Once a community landmark, the Olympia Park Public Swimming Pool has stood derelict for a decade. Despite the metro’s repeated promises and interest from private partners, residents are still waiting and losing hope.
It has been 10 years since Springs residents last used the Olympia Park Public Swimming Pool, and they still wait for it to be restored.
Former ward councillor Dean Stone and PR councillor Michael da Silva met the Springs Advertiser at the derelict pool to discuss how to make it operational again.
Stone said the CoE was aware of the issues affecting the pool, but the matter was never resolved. He added that one possible solution would be to invite companies to work with the city to repair the facility in a public-private partnership.
“The metro was alerted to the condition of the facility, yet nothing has been done. Various companies have approached me about taking over the pool, and some have already started engaging, but ultimately, it is the city’s duty to provide services to residents,” he said.
Stone said several appeals were made to the metro to improve the pool’s state, with several promises made but none fulfilled.
“It feels like the metro has forgotten about Olympia Park, even though the space was previously well-maintained,” he said.
In February 2015, the metro stated that it would fix the pool within a year, but it has yet to receive any attention. In 2021, the city included the pool in its Integrated Development Plan (IDP) for rehabilitation.
“The city is addressing the backlog at functional facilities first before moving to these unused facilities,” the Advertiser was told at the time.
Da Silva emphasised the untapped value of sports in the city and noted that the neighbouring Pam Brink Stadium is also closed. He said the MMC for Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture was notified of the pool’s dire condition.
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“In our next oversight visit, the mayor must join us to see what’s happening because the community has complained about this for years,” Da Silva said.
“The problem is, we raise the matter in committee meetings and on social media, and promises are made. But when we follow up, we’re told there are many facilities under the metro’s care and that it will take time.”
DA MP Liam Jacobs recently visited the pool and, in a viral video, sarcastically remarked that it was in good condition to swim in.
Da Silva said inviting Jacobs to the site was one way to raise public awareness about the ongoing neglect. Comment requested from the City of Ekurhuleni was not received at the time of publication.
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