All public swimming pools in the Drakenstein Municipality areas reopened on Tuesday October 1, for the new summer swimming season.
The municipality said in a press release that public swimming pool and resort staff are now ready to welcome residents to these facilities. The swimming pools will remain open until March 31, next year.
Public swimming pools open include the Drakenstein swimming pool, corner of Klein Drakenstein Road and Van der Stel Street, Paarl East; Faure Street swimming pool, Faure Street, Paarl; Mbekweni swimming pool, Phokeng Street, Mbekweni; Pentz Street swimming pool, Upper Pentz Street, Wellington; and the Weltevrede swimming pool, Bloekom Avenue, Weltevrede, Wellington.
Karel Dampies, chairperson of Angels of Hope NGO in Wellington, said although the opening of the municipal pools is a positive thing, there are still concerns for the children’s safety to and from the facilities.
“Last year children from our areas flocked there, but I don’t think children are too excited to go there this year as there were too many fights, assaults and robberies going on to and from the facilities. I don’t think parents will be keen to send their children there unsupervised.”
He said parents must prioritise the safety of children visiting these facilities.
PR Councillor for Mbekweni, Sindile Gravel said the announcement of the swimming pools opening, is good news for the community. “We would like to applaud the municipality for the renovations done, especially after the wind damaged the fence, but the municipality managed to jump in and put up a new fence as part of the renovations.
“The good thing about the opening of the Mbekweni swimming pool is first and foremost is that the children of Mbekweni at least in the coming summer won’t have to go risk their lives by swimming in the river and possibly lose their lives there; so now they are able to swim at a safe space.
“Another good thing is that there is also a shop at the Mbekweni swimming pool that gives someone from the area a chance to sell their goods there, which is good for our local economy.”
The deployment of new, trained lifeguards at the swimming pool, he said is the cherry on top.
In addition to making sure that the swimming facilities are geared for all the keen swimmers, the municipality’s lifeguards have been trained by the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) to ensure they are fit and equipped to handle any life-threatening situation.
The municipality said altogether 55 lifeguards were appointed for this swimming season, and they received formal accreditation.
“The safety of all swimmers is our main priority,” said Drakenstein Municipality Mayor Stephen Korabie.
“However, it remains the responsibility of each swimmer to enter and swim in a pool where it is safe for them to do so. If you are uncertain about the depth of the pool, please ask one of our staff members or lifeguards on duty as the depth differs from pool to pool.
“We also call on parents and guardians to keep a watchful eye on their little ones while they are in the water. A child can drown even in shallow water and while it is fun to splash around, an accident can happen all too quickly,” he said.
The opening hours for all municipal swimming pools are from 10am to 7pm daily, including weekends.
The costs are R10 for adults (16 to 59 years) and R5 a child (15 years and under). Entry for the elderly (persons of 60 and over) is free with proof of ID document.
