Community swimming pools ready for the peak festive season

19 December 2025

Thirty six of the City’s 37 swimming pools are open for the 2025/2026 summer season. Executive Mayor, Geordin Hill-Lewis and Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Francine Higham conducted oversight visits at several facilities this week.

Over the last few years, the Recreation and Parks Department has invested significantly in the maintenance and upgrades of our public swimming pools, which has resulted in the phased reopening of these pools from October for the 2025/2026 summer season.
 
This included the completion of another phase of major infrastructure works at Newlands, Wynberg, Kensington, Goodwood, Bellville South and Manenberg, to ensure that the lifecycle of these community assets is increased.
 

This summer, 36 of the department’s 37 swimming pools across the metro are available to the public. 
 
This includes the five indoor facilities in Blue Downs, Long Street, Retreat and Strand; and the seawater pool in Sea Point that operate all year-round.
 
The Vulindlela swimming pool in Gugulethu is set for a major upgrade over an extended period. The City will provide further updates on reopening timeframes as this upgrade progresses.
 
Community swimming pools are open daily during the festive season, from 10:00 until 18:00, with the last ticket sold at 17:30.
 
The facilities will revert to weekend hours after the school holidays, due to the much lower demand during the work/school week.

‘What a pleasure to visit so many of our swimming pools and see the enjoyment of our residents, especially the children, as they splash and play in the water and relax in the surrounding grassy areas. This is what Summer is all about in Cape Town – making memories, spending time with family and friends and enjoying the wonderful recreational facilities in our communities. Thank you to all our officials who have worked so hard to get these facilities ready for the summer, and who will continue to work, through the festive season to make sure they remain in good condition and safe for everyone.
 
‘We would like to remind visitors to these facilities to please be considerate of one another and listen to the instructions of the lifeguards and staff on duty. A reminder too, that children under the age of seven need to be accompanied by an adult at all times. Let’s work together to ensure that everyone has a swimming time this summer at our pools,’ said Councillor Higham.

The City has deployed over 490 senior and seasonal lifeguards across its pools and beaches, with an additional 67 bolstering this total in December, as part of its summer readiness plan. This ensures proactive safety, drowning prevention, and a welcoming environment for all residents and visitors.
 
View the full swimming pool schedule here: https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/See-all-City-facilities/Our-recreational-facilities/Swimming%20pools
 
Caption 1: Trafalgar swimming pool in Woodstock
Caption 2: Children in the water at Manenberg swimming pool
Caption 3: The delegation during their visit to Kensington swimming pool
 

End

Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office