POLOKWANE – Residents are unhappy over the closure of three public swimming pools in the city.
The public pools in Nirvana, Westenburg and Polokwane central were closed at the beginning of March for the winter, two months earlier than usual.
The city’s swimming pools usually closed annually at the end of May for winter, residents confirmed.
Tidimalo Chuene, a municipal spokesperson, said the Nirvana and Westenburg pools were in need of boosters and other pumps.
“A contractor to install these pumps will be on site soon.”
Although residents could not make use of the pools, Chuene said the pools would only be closed for the winter season by the end of the month.
In October 2013 the pumps were also replaced at the Nirvana, Westenburg and Polokwane central pools, which were still closed long after the swimming season started.
Matshidiso Mothapo, also a municipal spokesperson, said at the time that the pumps were outdated and had to be replaced.
He claimed the new pumps would be able to perform optimally because use of the pools had increased drastically.
Residents said Polokwane had nothing to offer young people and the little joy they had at the pools was now also taken away.
“The pool keeps our children out of trouble and now that the pools are closed, our children have a lot of time on their hands to get up to mischief,” one parent said.
Jenny Brown-Caroto lives on a farm outside the city, but as a child she lived in the city and on weekends she spent most of her time at the city’s swimming pool.
“On Monday my husband and I decided to drive into town with our children. We wanted to show the children where we used to swim when we were younger, but to my disappointment the pool was closed. I peeped through the gate and saw that the pools were empty,” Brown-Caroto said.
She said it was very sad that the pool was closed.
“The public swimming pool is the one place where children can relax and enjoy themselves safely.
“With the pool closed, what are children suppose to do in the city?”
Review investigated and found that the baby pool at the Westenburg swimming pool was empty and the water in the big pool was green.
Review also observed that the diving pool at the Polokwane central swimming pool had little water in and was also green.
One of the other pools had sludge at the bottom of the pool.
Chuene said the Polokwane central pool was currently under repair and some of the components that needed fixing were delayed.
