By Bongekile Gumede
After spending more than R6 million on repairs, further structural problems have resulted in the beachfront Rachel Finlayson Pool remaining closed even after repairs started in 2015 in preparation for the 2022 Commonwealth Games. For more than seven years, the pool has been empty and closed during the festive season and school holidays.
Over the weekend, DA Ward 26 PR Councillor, Sharmaine Sewshanker and Ward 31 Councillor, Remona McKenzie, who is the Chief Whip for the Steering Committee responsible for parks and recreation in eThekwini, conducted an oversight visit at the pool as there were concerns regarding the progress of the repairs since there has been no update from eThekwini Municipality about their plans for the pool.
Cllr McKenzie said the Rachel Finlayson Pool was once a major beachfront attraction. “Since upgrades were initiated in 2015 and were completed in 2018, the pool was opened on 5 January 2019 but not long after that the pool was closed again. The reason for closure was that an investigation was underway as a result of poor workmanship. It is shocking that, to date, this pool is still not accessible to the public and as the Democratic Alliance, we suspect that there was mismanagement of funds and that the project renovations were flawed,” she said.
Cllr McKenzie said that the greatest concern is the negative effect on tourism, which is one of the biggest contributing factors to the city’s economy, and this pool once contributed to eThekwini’s tourism.
“As a city, our focus should always be to avoid wasteful expenditure which is clearly not happening. Over the past months, we have received a number of emails and phone calls from frustrated residents who keep questioning what is happening and are anxious as we always promote all codes of sports. This pool is one of the pools that could be utilised to groom youth to enter competitions such as the Olympic Games and more, however, it is now a white elephant,” said Cllr McKenzie.
She said the DA will be writing to the city until a response is given regarding the pool.
Cllr Sewshanker said that, according to information received in 2010, the pool tiles which were installed by a certain contractor were not appropriate for a public swimming pool. “It is said that the tiles were too dark and were not recommended for a public pool, especially in a case of drowning, as life guards would not be able to see a person at the bottom of the pool. When the re-tiling was done, it was discovered that the pool had a leak from the tile removal and also that the pool had no carcass,” said Cllr Sewshanker.
She said that in 2019, there were reports once again that a valve needed to be replaced and the city was trying to resolve this.
“It is also strange that four managers were changed since the renovations in 2015, however, no progress was made to date. I am also aware that since the contractor for the 2015 renovations had his contract terminated, no contractor was assigned to continue with the repairs. Just recently, the eThekwini Deputy Mayor is said to have conducted an oversight to the pool on 6 July this year. Nothing came out of that oversight besides the fact that there was not enough funding for the contract to be awarded to a new contractor so that the repairs can continue.
“It is really sad as the pool is lying in limbo and only a few things need to be fixed before the pool is up and running again. EThekwini really needs to catch a ‘wake-up’ as the city is losing out, especially when it comes to the tourism sector, as a result of small issues just like the fixing of the pool,” said Cllr Sewshanker.
EThekwini Municipality and Durban Tourism were contacted for comments, however, none were received at the time of going to print.
