Durban - eThekwini Municipality has confirmed that repairs to the Rachel Finlayson pool are underway.
“Contractors have started repairing the popular Rachel Finlayson swimming pool on the Durban beachfront following the awarding of the contract this week,” the City said in a post shared late on Tuesday.
This follows a previous statement from the City's communications unit explaining that a contractor has been appointed to fix the pool.
The pool, situated along Durban’s lower Marine Parade, had reportedly been closed to the public from August 2015.
According to Councillor Remona McKenzie, the pool was due to undergo upgrades in 2015 which were to be completed in 2018. A year later, the facility was opened and closed again.
Speaking to Tabloid Media, she said the closure was over poor workmanship.
Fellow DA councillor, Sharmaine Sewshanker, added that information received in 2010 stated that a contractor had installed inappropriate tiles. She said in 2019, a further report indicated that there was a valve that needed replacing.
On Monday, City mayor Mxolisi Kaunda, said he understood the public's frustrations.
“Now that we have appointed a contractor we can get the pool up and running again. In addition, officials are also finalising the appointment of a contractor to repair the Children’s Amusement Centre pool, also at the beachfront,” he said.
Kaunda said in the meantime, the South Beach Paddling pool and the Kings Park indoor and outdoor pools are accessible, operational are close to the beachfront.
He said there are a further 22 swimming pools that are available to the public:
Rainham
Durban North
Pipeline
Tiger Rocks
Anstey’s
Westville
Stanmore
Umlazi D
LT King
Bayview
Arena Park
Alex Bulley
Lamontville
Lahee Park
Ntuzuma
Sutton Park
Tesoriere
Mariannridge
Tills Crescent
Croftdene
Bellair
Umgababa
IOL