- The Retreat Indoor Swimming Pool has reopened after three months of renovations, just in time for the summer season.
- The upgrades include a fully operational baby pool, which had been closed for over a decade.
- Local councillors celebrated the reopening, encouraging residents to enjoy the improved facilities while taking care of the community asset.
After a three-month closure for maintenance, the Retreat Indoor Swimming pool re-opened to the public on Friday 18 October, just in time for the festive season and warm summer days.
As a bonus, the baby pool that has been out of operation for more than a decade, will also be up and running.
Subcouncil 18 chair Kevin Southgate, who attended the re-opening, said the facility had undergone a metamorphosis since its inception more than three decades ago.
“We are elated that the swimming pool has undergone a real transformation in terms of the upgrade to the heating system and the baby pool, which had been out of commission for 10 years. They are now available once again.”
He invited the public to make use of the facility.
“We are excited about today’s official launch and the opening of the swimming pool, not only to the residents of Retreat but the surrounding residents as well as the clubs and lifesavers who use it. The re-opening is going to add much joy to the life of our community, especially with the summer months’ approach.”
The facility first opened its doors to the public over 30 years ago as an outdoor swimming pool at the time.
“It was an open pool and, since then, the metamorphosis of the pool, it was enclosed and became an indoor swimming pool,” said Southgate. “That added a new dimension and following that, we had a few challenges in terms of the heating system. So, today we see a culmination of all the work that was done in the last seven to eight years.”
Mayco member for community services and health Patricia van der Ross, who officially re-opened the pools on Friday, said some basic maintenance work was needed.
“Before there were no maintenance plans, “she said, “and it took us a few years to put the process maintenance in place,” she said.
Referring to the construction of a new baby pool, Van der Ross said it was a milestone to get a brand-new baby pool up and running.
“The baby pool was out of order, so we had construction of a new pool and got that up and running,” she shared. “It is brand new, the first time over a decade that there will be full access to the facility and I think that in itself is exciting.”
She encouraged residents to be mindful to always accompany minors to the pool.
“Our lifeguards are here, the pool is officially open from today,” she commented.
Meanwhile, Ward 110 councillor Shanen Rossouw reminded residents to take ownership of the facility by not allowing any vandalism to take place.
“We are looking forward to the community enjoying the pools, but they must look after this facility.”
She pointed out that the City spent a lot on maintaining and upgrading the facility. “If they see people vandalising, they need to inform the councillor or the officials at the swimming pools,” said Rossouw. “We spent a lot of money to fix the pool and we are urging the community to take ownership because this is for their enjoyment.”
The facility will be open seven days a week, including public holidays between 10:00 and 17:00.
