Joburg’s Community Development Department takes control of repairs and maintenance at pools and recreational centres

The state of the City of Johannesburg’s recreational and swimming facilities are finally being prioritised.

This according to MMC for Community Development, Nonhlanhla Sifumba.

She said she was disappointed to see the state of disrepair in Joburg’s facilities despite the repairs and maintenance budget that remains unspent year after year.

“In addition to this, I have received many of our residents’ rightful complaints over the state of these facilities,” she said.

“I would like to reassure our residents that I, as the political head of the Community Development Department, am aware of these issues, and I am taking steps to ensure that our facilities across the City are maintained and restored to a condition that will allow residents their optimum usage.”

During her oversight visits for spring-readiness this year Sifumba not only checked the pools but also the recreational facilities, both of which her department had taken over the repairs and maintenance of.

“We have just taken over repairs and maintenance from the Johannesburg Property Company for pools and recreation centres. It is not a smooth ride and we need to respect the City’s processes in terms of the handover. It is going to be a long process.”

Sifumba said now that the repairs and maintenance of pools and recreational facilities fell under her department, she would be able to ask why certain things had not been done.

The City has 54 pools spread across all seven of its regions. Of the 54 pools, 88 per cent (48 pools) opened on 1 September.

Sifumba said she is regularly meeting with departmental management to speedily resolve maintenance related matters at facilities.

“I commit to providing constant communication on the progress made and any challenges met until this issue is resolved.”

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