Every year the 1st of September ushers in the start of the swimming season in the City of Joburg’s pools. The swimming season runs until the end of March, after which the pools are closed for repairs and maintenance.
The City has 54 pools spread across all seven of its regions. Of the 54 pools, 88% (48 pools) will be opened on the 1st of September for the enjoyment of the residents and visitors of Joburg.
The Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Community Development in the City of Joburg, Cllr Nonhlanhla Sifumba stated “I am delighted to inform the residents of Joburg that in all the regions there will be a swimming pool open
It is unfortunate that some pools will not open at the start of the swimming season, but the team is working tirelessly to ensure that the pools are open at the earliest time possible. My sincere apologies to those residents whose pools will not open as anticipated. The City will be sure to update the affected communities regularly”.
The normal swimming pool hours are from Monday to Friday, 10:00 - 18:00 and Saturday to Sunday, 10:00 - 17:00. Tariffs range from R5.00 to R10.00. The operating hours and tariffs have been structured to ensure access for all the residents of the City who do not have the luxury of swimming pools in their yards or complexes. This is in response to the pro-poor development agenda of the City.
The safety of our bathers and residents in general is of paramount importance to us as the City, therefore we are pleading with parents and caregivers to ensure that their little ones are safe at all times while enjoying the use of the pools. This can be achieved through swimming lessons, which are offered through different programmes such as Learn-To-Swim in some of the community pools. Information on where these programmes are run is readily available from the Department of Sport and Recreation.
Cllr Sifumba added “As much as the City wants its citizens to have a great time in the City pools, bathers and visitors to the pools are urged to consider safety measures which include among others: no diving, no pushing, no running, no glasses in pool or deck areas, no alcohol, and smoking of narcotics. This is to ensure a positive experience for all the users of the pools. We will be monitoring the adherence to the rules strictly, and those that violate them will not be allowed in our swimming pools”.
The 48 swimming pools that will be opened on the 1st of September are Rabie Ridge; Blairgowrie; Brixton; Coronationville; Kensington B; Linden; Newclare; Ochse Square; Riverlea; Robin Hills; Roosevelt Park; Vrededorp; Verity Park; Windsor East; Windsor West; Davidsonville; Florida Lake; Florida North; Little Falls; Diepkloof; Dobsonville; Jabavu; Meadowlands; Moletsane; Noordgesig; Senoane; Pimville; Power Park; East Bank; Sydenham; Zoo Lake; Ellis Park; Forest Hill; Hofland Park; Malvern; Moffat Park; Southern Suburbs; Turffontein; Yeoville; Lenasia Ext 2; Lenasia Ext 10; Orange Farm; Eldorado Park Ext 4; Eldorado Park Ext 9; Eldorado Park Proper; Ennerdale; Lenasia Ext 5 and Lenasia South.
Tomorrow, MMC Sifumba will be doing an oversight tour of the Noordgesig, East Bank and Southern Suburbs pools to engage with the bathers and join in the fun. The tour will commence at Noordgesig swimming pool at 11:00.
Roodepoort and Orlando swimming pools will open on 1st October 2018, while Crown Gardens and Pioneer Park will open on 1st December 2018.
Paterson Park will not open for the 2018 swimming season as it is being upgraded from a baby sized pool to a normal sized pool to respond to the needs of the community in the area. Rhodes Park will not be opened as it needs major repairs that will require a longer period.
Mayfair pool will also not be opened as it was vandalized beyond repair, and needs extensive funding to replace the shell of the pool. This is the regrettable and sad consequence of certain members of the community who vandalize City property to the detriment and the denial of services of other residents.
For more information regarding City of Joburg Swimming Pools, please visit www.joburg.org.za or follow on Twitter @CojCommunityDev and #JoburgPools or contact the City of Johannesburg Sport and Recreation office at 011 404 5014 during business hours.
Issued By:
Councillor Nonhlanhla Sifumba
Member of the Mayoral Committee for Community Development
City of Joburg
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