WATCH: Austerville Swimming Pool finally reopens

THERE was a wave of excitement in Wentworth after eThekwini Municipality officially reopened the Austerville Swimming Pool, situated on Retreat Street, on July 14.

The reopening was held after much deliberation between a group of fathers from the area who attempted to refurbish, repair and reopen the pool, which was closed for the past four-and-a-half years, and the municipality.

WATCH:

The pool came under the spotlight when the group of fathers visited the area in February. They captured footage of rats and Egyptian geese having a swim in the dilapidated pool and published their videos on social media, calling out the municipality for sidelining the community.

The tiles were broken and a thick blanket of rust sat at the bottom of the pool. When querying about the condition of the once well-maintained recreational facility, the group was told that there was rust in the filter pipes and the repairs will be imminent.
The group was not allowed to assist, but the pool had been repaired by municipality, with a grand reopening and mini swimming gala for residents in attendance.

ALSO READ: Wentworth residents disappointed after pool reopening postponed

Community member, Zane Scullard, said he was glad that children from the community could enjoy the pool, once again.

“We are proud that we could band together and highlight this issue. We are happy that our cries for a better community were heard and that the pool has finally been reopened. Our community is proof that if we stand together and highlight issues, without backing down, our voices will be heard and change will come,” Scullard added.

Ward 68 councillor, Aubrey Snyman, addressed attendees at the opening ceremony and said, “We thank eThekwini Municipality for making the reopening of the pool possible. If it were not for the concerted efforts of community leaders and organisations in the area, we would have had many more challenges.

ALSO READ: Wentworth community on a mission to restore public pool

“With this kind of facility, we can eliminate many of the social ills that we have in our community. We all know about the drug, violence and crime which grips our community and having the swimming pool reopened is a blessing.

“This facility is for the people of Wentworth and we should make good use of it. We must make sure that we utilise it and take care of it.”

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