On January 27, the popular Newlands Swimming Pool in Cape Town reopened, much to the delight of people seeking escape from the heat.
The pool was closed for five years due to repairs and reopened in March 2022 following an R28 million makeover.
However, it was shuttered in October of last year due to a suspected chlorine gas leak.
The City of Cape Town stated in a statement that the pool would open as scheduled on Friday, but warned that load shedding could compromise operation hours.
The business hours will be from 10:00 to 17:00.
From then on, until April, business hours will be restricted to Thursdays and Fridays from 14:00 to 17:00, as well as Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 to 17:00.
According to Newlands ward councillor Mikhail Manuel, the pool does not have a generator, so new operation hours have been set.
“It is essential to notice that load shedding has an immediate effect on the pool. The pool does not have a generator. “Therefore, any load shedding, and particularly severe load shedding, impacts water quality and the safety of using the pools,” Manuel explained.
The primary pool measures 50 meters in length and 25 meters in width. There are also a dive pool and a pool for children.
The facility can accommodate a maximum of 2,000 guests.
The most recent fees for admission to the various pools were R33 for adults, R19 for children, and free for seniors.
There are lifeguards on duty at all times.
»Newlands Swimming Pool reopens after a five-year renovation costing R28 million«