With school holidays around the corner and the onset of long-awaited warm weather, thousands of people are expected to flock to the City’s swimming pools.
In the rush to cool off on warmer days, children especially tend to get caught up in the moment and forget about being safe in the water.
The City of Cape Town’s Sport, Recreation and Amenities (SRA) Department has made every effort to ensure that its amenities are ready for the upcoming school holidays. More than 200 trained and competent lifeguards will be on duty at all of the City’s 35 swimming pools.
‘We appeal to all users of our swimming pools to obey the instructions and guidance of the lifeguards and the City’s staff members. Our municipal swimming pools should be places of fun and recreation. Irresponsible behaviour which places other users at risk will not be tolerated. The most important role of a lifeguard is to prevent drownings at our pools and they will be making every effort to teach users about water safety,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Special Projects, Alderman Belinda Walker.
- All of the swimming pools will be open every day during the school holidays from 2 – 11 October 2015. Thereafter, they will be open on weekends only until the end of October 2015. From November onwards, all of the swimming pools will be open every day between 10:00 and 17:00.
- During the peak season, between 16 December 2015 and 15 January 2016, the pools will be open for longer, i.e. between 09:00 and 18:00 (this is subject to change depending on daily water quality checks).
Regular water testing will be conducted by the City’s Scientific Services branch to ensure that the water quality at all of our pools is safe and of an acceptable standard.
The Sea Point, Blue Downs, Strand, Mnandi and Long Street swimming pools are open daily throughout the year.
The SRA Department has taken a decision not to allow any private events at municipal pools in the interest of public safety. The department is guided by occupational health and safety standards. Only the Learn to Swim programme and swimming galas will be allowed.
Pool users are advised to take note of the following rules which apply at all of the City’s swimming pools:
• No alcohol or banned substances
• No glass containers at the facilities
• No weapons of any kind
• No running and horse play in and around the pool
• No dunking or diving off shoulders
• No ball games in or outside the pool area
• No pets allowed
• No tents or similar structures
• No pushing into the pool
• Children under the age of 7 need to be accompanied by an adult at all times
‘We would like to urge the public to please adhere to the pool rules and follow the instructions of lifeguards at all times. Members of the public are advised to report any illnesses to the lifeguards before they go for a swim,’ added Alderman Walker.
All pool users must always ensure that they receive a receipt from the cashier after paying their entry fee.
