'Annually more than 1.5 million visitors flock to the City's public swimming pools. Our pools are popular places for relaxation and socialising, but they have also become the targets of vandalism and criminals. The Trafalgar Park and Elsies River pools will not be able to open in time for summer and users have been deprived of the facility because of criminal elements,' said the City of Cape Town's Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Zahid Badroodien.

The Elsies River pool and plant room were badly vandalised on many occasions and will not be open.

The Trafalgar Park pool was due for major repairs and since then the filtration plant has been vandalised, forcing a longer closure. It is hoped repairs will be completed in time for the summer season.

'These criminal acts hurt the very communities the facilities are meant to serve and it's condemned in the strongest terms. I want to implore communities to take ownership of the facilities and report any suspicious activity as ultimately these are community assets,' added Councillor Badroodien.

Water conservation and safety considerations for staff and users were at the top of the list of considerations in deciding on the number of pools to open.

Water tankers will transport water obtained from identified non-potable water sources to the open pools. At each of the City’s municipal swimming pools, water tanks were purchased and installed to catch rainwater and then connected to the backwash lines.

The conversions of Muizenberg, Mnandi and Monwabisi coastal pools have been completed and they make use of ground water or boreholes.

Strand Pool will be completed in this financial year.

Apart from the coastal pools, the Recreation and Parks Department will also be using alternative water sources at more swimming pools.

The Long Street, Strand, Blue Downs and Retreat indoor swimming pools will be open as well.

Sea Point swimming pool, which uses sea water, is currently open and the pool’s operating times will remain unchanged.

In addition to the four Indoor Pools and Sea Point Pavilion, 16 pools around the city will be open from the September school holidays until after Easter next year.

'We expect our swimming pools to continue receiving high numbers of visitors especially during hotter days. Bathers must keep in mind that it is likely that swimming pool operating hours will need to be adjusted from time to time in order to ensure that water quality remains at an optimum level. This is fundamental to the safety of visitors,' said Councillor Badroodien.

The following swimming pools are currently undergoing repairs and maintenance work and the department intends to open these swimming pools for the peak summer period if the scheduled repairs are completed on time:

• Trafalgar Park
• Parow Valley
• Ruyterwacht
• Vulindlela
• Browns Farm
• Lentegeur
• Wynberg
• Morningstar
• Khayelitsha
• Delft

The Bellville, Elsies River, Newlands and Ravensmead swimming pools will not be operational this season due to extensive renovations.

The three resort pools at Monwabisi, Kuils River and Zandvlei Caravan Park will be operational during the December – January period.

Lifeguards will do duty at these municipal pools, together with a complement of up to 326 seasonal beach lifeguards scattered along the coast, including 26 beaches and tidal pools.

The department completed assessments and interviews and a total of 262 seasonal pool lifeguards have been appointed.

In preparation for the summer season, seasonal swimming pool and beach lifeguards will undergo a two-day induction which details the theoretical components of being a lifeguard including occupational health and safety, and code of conduct. This, together with a physical assessment of seasonal beach lifeguards at Muizenberg Beach will make for a comprehensive induction ahead of their busiest season.

Additional staff, which includes cashiers and access controllers, will be deployed at all swimming pools.

'We are ready for a bumper swimming season and look forward to welcoming all our visitors. Relaxing at the pool should be a fun day out for everyone. I want to implore visitors who use the facilities to adhere to the rules and obey the instructions of lifeguards who are there to ensure everyone stays safe,' added Councillor Badroodien.

For a list of the pools that will be open, and their opening and closing times, please go to: https://bit.do/Pools_Schedule_Sept19

End

Note to broadcasters: audio clips are available for download
https://soundcloud.com/ct-media/20190913-badroodien-pools