Thirty-one outdoor community swimming pools in and around Cape Town will soon reopen for extended weekday operations.
This is according to the City of Cape Town, which declared that this will be done on a pilot basis.
NEW SCHEDULE FOR SWIMMING POOLS
Last week, the City announced that its community swimming pools will be closed during the week and operate over the weekends from 19 January until 22 March 2026.
Now, starting this Wednesday, 28 January, until 22 March 2026, these pools will be operational on the following schedule:
- Monday – Tuesday: Closed
- Wednesday – Sunday: 10:00 to 18:00
Afterwards, from 23 March to 6 April 2026, the pools will resume daily operations during the school holidays. Come Tuesday, 7 April 2026, the pools will then be closed for the season.
CITY TO MONITOR PILOT’S PROGRESS
The decision to extend these operations over weekdays, says the City, comes after receiving numerous requests from local communities to do so once schools reopen.
Buoyed “by the extensive repairs and upgrades to pools in recent years”, said Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Francine Higham, this pilot will enable the City to determine the viability of keeping these pools open throughout summer in the long term.
“After an incredibly busy summer season during which pools were open seven days a week, we are retaining Mondays and Tuesdays for essential maintenance and to maintain staff wellbeing,” said Higham.
“The usage results of this pilot will inform what happens in years to come, and whether it is feasible to operate these facilities seven days a week throughout the summer months.”
WILL YOU VISIT THESE SWIMMING POOLS DURING THE WEEK?
Although the festive season has long ended, the summer season is hitting its stride.
So, are you looking to avoid crowded beaches? Or perhaps you just want to take a refreshing dip without travelling all the way to the coast? Then a trip to one of these pools – especially during the week – is your best bet.
As always, though, remember to swim responsibly and to take precautions against the summer heat.
