WELKOM – The continued closure and deterioration of the Welkom Municipal Swimming Pool is raising concerns.

This is seen by the community as a loss of a valuable community facility that could provide sporting opportunities, create jobs, and generate income for the Matjhabeng Local Municipality.

During an oversight visit last week, DA Matjhabeng councillor Abigail Schoeman highlighted the condition of the facility, which once hosted school galas, developed talented swimmers, and provided families with a place to enjoy recreational swimming.

Schoeman said local schools must travel outside of the area to host swimming galas, while aspiring swimmers face additional costs to access private facilities.

“Residents also have no municipal swimming pool to use during the hot summer months.”

The pool’s closure means more than the loss of a recreational facility. It also limits opportunities for young people to develop their swimming skills, participate in competitive sport, and potentially pursue careers in the swimming industry.

According to Schoeman, the municipality continues to incur security and maintenance costs at the unused facility, despite it generating no income or providing a service to residents.

Concerns were also raised about the condition of the perimeter fencing, with sections reportedly broken beyond repair and an entrance left open.

Although private security has been appointed to protect the property against vandalism, Schoeman said security measures alone would not prevent the facility from deteriorating further.

The rehabilitation of the swimming pool could offer several benefits to the community.

Once operational, it could host school galas, swimming events and weekend visitors, creating opportunities to generate municipal revenue.

Reopening the facility could also create employment for lifeguards, maintenance workers and tuck shop operators, while giving local swimming clubs and schools access to a public sporting venue.

Schoeman said private-sector parties had reportedly offered to assist with rehabilitating the pool’s pumps and restoring the facility, but these proposals had not been accepted. She called for greater transparency regarding the decisions and urged the municipality to consider viable offers of assistance.

The immediate priority, she said, should be to establish the extent of the damage, determine the cost of repairs, and develop a practical plan to reopen the pool.

A technical assessment of the pumps, pool infrastructure and perimeter fencing would help establish the work required and provide a basis for budgeting and setting realistic deadlines.

Schoeman also called for the municipality to investigate transparent public-private partnerships that could assist with the rehabilitation, maintenance and long-term operation of the facility.

Such arrangements, if properly structured, could help reduce the financial burden on the municipality while ensuring that residents regain access to a public swimming pool.

Urgent repairs to the perimeter fencing were also highlighted as necessary to protect the property and prevent further vandalism while plans for its restoration are considered.

Schoeman says the future of the Welkom Municipal Swimming Pool remains an important community issue, particularly as the summer season approaches.

Restoring the facility could provide residents with a much-needed recreational space while supporting local sport and creating economic opportunities.

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