Pools in a poor state

[caption id="attachment_104072" align="alignright" width="221"] NEGLECTED FACILITY: DA councillor Margaret de Andrade sent in this picture of a neglected and stagnant St George's Pool, which she says is ‘a danger to swimmers’[/caption]

THE state of municipal swimming pools in this metro is a disgrace. They are in a crisis of dilapidation and neglect.

“All municipal pools will officially open on 12 October 2015,” read an advert recently, which was clearly dishonest.

Our pools will not be open this summer, as was confirmed on the agenda of the last meeting of the NMB council discussing pools.

At least half of all municipal pools will remain shut due to recent budget cuts under the Danny Jordaan administration. The knock-on effects of these budget cuts have had a catastrophic impact on the ability to maintain our municipal swimming pools, many of which are in a complete state of disrepair.

Through poor ANC management of public funds and chaotic facilities administration, a municipal service will be denied to the people of NMB.

While billions of rands are wasted on corruption and fruitless expenditure by the metro, it cannot muster the funds to open swimming pools to our people at summer time. It is a disgrace. Furthermore, the municipality’s revenue streams from entrance fees will be dented should this issue not be resolved.

I will be submitting questions at the next sports, recreation, arts and culture committee meeting to ensure that a solution is reached which benefits all metro residents. The DA is committed to working tirelessly to keep this government to account.

The DA is set on winning NMB in next year’s elections. Under the leadership of Athol Trollip, the DA government will work to create a safe, caring and inclusive city that is forward thinking and well run – built on the foundations of freedom, fairness and opportunity. -Margaret de Andrade, DA Ward 39 councillor, NMB