City of Cape Town dives into summer: major pool reopening initiative underway
The Langa swimming pool
Image: City of Cape Town
The City of Cape Town’s Recreation and Parks Department is making a significant splash as it begins the phased reopening of community swimming pools in preparation for the 2025/2026 summer season. With 37 swimming pools spread across the metropolitan area, this comprehensive initiative is set to provide residents with safe, accessible, and well-maintained facilities throughout the warmer months.
Phased opening schedule
Five pools have remained open year-round, including indoor facilities at Blue Downs, Long Street, Retreat, and Strand, alongside the popular seawater pool in Sea Point.
The reopening schedule is progressing rapidly:
As of now, 22 pools have opened their gates to the public.
By the end of November, this number is set to rise to 29.
A total of 36 pools will be fully operational by 12 December, ensuring full coverage just in time for the school holidays.
Councillor Francine Higham, the Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, stressed the City's dedication to quality infrastructure. “The upgrades vary by site and include structural, civil and mechanical plant room repairs, maintenance, and upgrades. The City is committed to providing quality, safe facilities to its residents,” she stated.
Councillor Francine Higham with representatives of the Friends of Sea Point Pavilion outside the swimming pool
Image: City of Cape Town
Maintenance and upgrades
While the majority are now ready, some facilities remain temporarily closed due to necessary maintenance and upgrade projects. Notably, the Vulindlela swimming pool in Gugulethu is closed indefinitely, pending major upgrades which are currently in the planning stages.
Community swimming pools are typically set to operate from late October through to the Easter weekend, with normal operating hours of 10:00 to 18:00 during weekends. These hours will be expanded, extending to seven days a week, starting from 1 December to cover the festive season.
Among the community swimming facilities that have reopened thus far are: Athlone, Atlantis, Bellville Central, Bonteheuwel, Brown’s Farm, Eastridge, Elsies River, Emthonjeni, Hanover Park, Langa, Lentegeur, Morningstar, Muizenberg, Observatory, Parow North, and Trafalgar. The Kuils River Resort pool is also open, exclusively for resort patrons.
Seven further pools are scheduled to open in November, including Delft, Khayelitsha, Newlands, Parow Valley, Ravensmead, Ruyterwacht, and Westridge.
An additional seven swimming pools are set to welcome visitors in December, featuring Bellville South, Goodwood, Kensington, Manenberg, Mnandi, Monwabisi, and Wynberg.
Iconic entrance gets R1.8m facelift
Meanwhile, the Sea Point Swimming Pool remains open while undergoing an upgrade to its iconic entrance. This refurbishment, estimated to cost over R1.8 million, is being funded by the Friends of Sea Point Pavilion (FSPP). The work includes the refurbishment of windows, doors, and woodwork, interior painting, and the construction of a new cash room, all aimed at enhancing the entrance's aesthetic while preserving the beloved facility’s character.