Parow residents will soon be able to enjoy a brand new public swimming pool that has been completely renovated, from the pool itself, to the facilities surrounding it.

Last year the City decided to completely redesign and rebuild the pool, which was originally built in 1948. According to Councillor Brett Herron, Mayoral Commitee Member for Community Services, the swimming pool had exceeded its lifespan and had reached a stage where it was beyond repair.

“The pool was built to suit the conditions and standards of the 1940s. Over the last few years the City has had to constantly repair defective pumps and replace burst pipes, because the old asbestos pipes that were still in use could not handle the water pressure. The state that the pool was in would ultimately have compromised public safety, and minor repairs would not fix the situation. The repair costs could no longer be justified and only an extensive re-design and re-build would suffice,” he said.

There were two phases to the initial project: The appointment of consultants to evaluate the structural integrity of the pool and to investigate what needs to be done, and then the appointment of the contractors to do the work. The consultants were appointed in October 2009 and the contractors went on-site in June 2010. The pool was closed in April 2009.

The renovations include:

• Backfilling and compacting the ground to the right level
  
• Redesigning the 31m x 13m pool
  
• Laying concrete after the backfilling and lining the pool with fibre
  
• Tiling
  
• Replacing all the old asbestos pipes with PVC pipe
  
• Replacing all filters and refurbishing the plant room to lower maintenance costs
  
• Repairing the entrance, public access points and office
  
• Paving around the pool
  
• Repairs to the kiddies pool
  
• Repairing and refurbishing the cash office and first aid rooms
  

The pool was scheduled to be open in time for the festive season, but due to unforeseen delays in the appointment of the contractor and inclement weather, it will only open early in the new year.

“It is unfortunate that the pool will not be open for the festive season and I would like to apologise to residents for the long wait, but I would like to assure them that the City is trying its best to finish the project as soon as possible. The pool will be a major asset to the community of Parow and will definitely be worth the wait,” said Councillor Herron.

Ward Councillor Leonore van der Walt said she is looking forward to the opening of the new pool. “The main swimming pool and also the kiddies’ pool are being completely rebuilt. The surrounding area will be greatly improved, new grass is being laid, the landscaping is being improved and the vibracrete wall is being straightened and painted. The end result will a recreational area of an exceptional standard – fit for another 60 years. The change rooms and ablution facilities will also be upgraded next year, but the facility will remain open during that time. I would like to thank residents for their patience and understanding with this project.”

In the interim, Parow residents can use the following public pools, which are in close proximity to Parow North:

• Goodwood (Milton Road)
  
• Parow Valley (Duncan Street
  
• Ruyterwacht (Jan van Riebeeck Street)
  
• Bellville (Voortrekker Road)