CONSTRUCTION on the Rachel Finlayson Pool on Durban beachfront is underway once again, but there is little hope that the work will be completed in time for the festive season.
Councillor Nicole Graham said bad planning and slow bureaucracy were mostly to blame for the delays in getting the pool ready for use.
Graham met with officials last week, who informed her that contractors had been on site for two weeks and the structural work on the pool had been completed.
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“There remains work on tiling, grouting and the expansion joints,” she said, adding that the pool would have a standard depth of 2m when completed, and could be used for waterpolo and underwater hockey. If there are any issues at Kings Park Pool, then Rachel Finlayson pool will be utilised,” she said.
ALSO READ: More funding needed for beachfront pool upgrade
Graham said it was a pity that the pool wouldn’t be finished in time for the festive season but it was hoped all worked would be completed by March or April 2018.
“This is the second festive season that the pool will not be available for use,” she said.
ALSO READ: More funding needed for beachfront pool upgrade
Graham said it was unacceptable that the municipality had taken so long to sort the issue out.
“The hold up on construction was as a result of the contract being extended because the initial contract was not in line with what was required for the Commonwealth Games, which Durban was due to hold in 2022. This is just a sign of bad planning and slow bureaucracy in sorting this out,” she said.
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