The Ekurhuleni Metro is confident that the 1.2m-deep swimming pool will be opened to the public in October.
In October last year, the Ekurhuleni Metro claimed the pool should be open by July 31 and open to the public by September 1.
However, according to Zweli Dlamini, metro spokesman, the pool will not be open by July 31, due to the extended completion time.
“The pool will be open to the public in October,” he says.
Substantial progress is already visible at the parking area and the buildings.
The pool had to be completely revamped, which included the rejuvenation of buildings and the pump room.
“All refurbishments had to be within the compliance of the health and safety regulations,” says Dlamini.
The pool has a reduced depth and standard 25m length for schools and public use and it will be fully tiled to allow for extended life.
At the same time a complete new 400mm-deep children’s pool has been incorporated into the design.
Dlamini says the reduced volume of water and operational costs will cater for more people.
The pipe work had to be replaced with high-density polyethylene and the filter system with fibreglass.
“A full-time guard will be on site as we have made every attempt to make it unattractive for theft, and plastic grids were used instead of stainless steel,” says Dlamini.
Life expectancy of the pool is between 30 and 50 years due to the new, superior equipment used.
Refurbishment of the Olympia Park Swimming Pool will have to wait as the evaluation of the pool is in planning phase to consider optimising its value for the community.
“Fund allocation has been made but the ideal plans may result in additional funding requirements,” adds Dlamini.
