Residents of Ruyterwacht will have to wait a few more days before cooling off at their local swimming pool as the City of Cape Town’s recreation and parks department rolls out the reopening of community swimming pools in a phased approach.
While 37 of the City’s 38 pools are set to reopen for the summer season, Ruyterwacht’s facility will only welcome visitors from 20 December.
The phased reopening strategy balances the public’s need for safe recreational spaces with the ongoing maintenance of ageing infrastructure. Patricia van der Ross, Mayco member for community services and health, emphasised the importance of this milestone. “This is an achievement for Cape Town’s communities. Despite the challenges posed by ageing infrastructure, we will see 37 pools reopen in phases, providing safe, quality recreational spaces for residents this summer,” she said.
Infrastructure upgrades
Currently, 10 swimming pools, including those in Long Street, Atlantis, and Blue Downs, are operational. Other facilities, including Goodwood, Manenberg, and Bellville South, are scheduled to open between 16 December and 31 December.
However, Ruyterwacht residents will experience a slight delay as critical infrastructure upgrades are completed. According to Ward councillor Chris Jordaan, the delay is due to the replacement of the old infrastructure pump, which was severely impacted by heavy rainfall during the winter months. “The magnitude of rainfall played a pivotal role in the challenges faced with underground infrastructure. I sincerely want to apologise for the inconvenience caused, but the delay was beyond our control,” said Jordaan.
Goodwood’s swimming pool, another key facility in the area, is undergoing major electrical and mechanical repairs but is on track to reopen within the mid-December timeframe. Cecile Janse van Rensburg, Goodwood’s Ward councillor, expressed optimism, stating, “I look forward to the opening and to seeing residents enjoying the facility.”
Residents of Ruyterwacht will have to wait a few more days before cooling off at their local swimming pool as the City of Cape Town’s recreation and parks department rolls out the reopening of community swimming pools in a phased approach.
While 37 of the City’s 38 pools are set to reopen for the summer season, Ruyterwacht’s facility will only welcome visitors from 20 December.
Other facilities, including Goodwood, Manenberg, and Bellville South, are scheduled to open between 16 December and 31 December.
Delay
However, Ruyterwacht residents will experience a slight delay as critical infrastructure upgrades are completed.
According to Ward councillor Chris Jordaan, the delay is due to the replacement of the old infrastructure pump, which was severely impacted by heavy rainfall during the winter months.
“The magnitude of rainfall played a pivotal role in the challenges faced with underground infrastructure,” said Jordaan.
Goodwood’s swimming pool, another key facility in the area, is undergoing major electrical and mechanical repairs but is on track to reopen within the mid-December timeframe.
Cecile Janse van Rensburg, Goodwood’s Ward councillor, expressed optimism, stating, “I look forward to the opening and to seeing residents enjoying the facility.”
