MyPE

Community Business Directory, Event Listings, News and Views from Gqeberha, Nelson Mandela Bay

Newton Park Pool closed for 6 months with no end in sight

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The Newton Park Swimming Pool has been closed to the public for more than 6 months and there appears to be no end in sight.

The pool was closed for routine maintenance in July 2013. When defective tiling was discovered along the floor and walls of the pool it was then closed indefinitely. This incident followed the embarrassing pool closure during the SA National Swimming Championships in April last year when the pool turned green and disrupted the gala.

In November 2013 acting Director of Sport, Ms Charmaine Williams, confirmed with me that the tender for the repairs had been awarded on November 4th. Subsequent emails and questions submitted to Ms Williams have remained unanswered and work appears not to have started.

This world class facility has been beset by problems and it now appears that the problems are set to continue. I have conducted a number of site visits since the beginning of the year and can confirm that the facility remains closed with no sign of contractors on site.

The Municipality originally committed to open the pool in December. This changed to January 2014 and I am not confident that this deadline will be met. The entire manner in which this matter has been handled is a disgrace. There has been no communication, no accountability and no delivery.

The swimming economy of Nelson Mandela Bay attracts thousands of swimmers to our Metro every year. This stream of visitors is a boost to our economy and critical to job creation.

The Newton Park Swimming Pool must be opened as a matter of urgency so that we can restore our Metro’s reputation as a preferred swimming destination. We deserve better.

Andrew Whitfield.

Green Newton Park Pool
Green Newton Park Pool

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Port Elizabethan

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