The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality is pleased to announce its readiness for the2025/26 public swimming pool season, ensuring safe, reliable, and accessible recreational services for communities across the Metro. A total of eight municipal swimming pools will operate this season, namely: Gelvandale, Zwide, Varsvlei, New Brighton, Westering (James Kleynhans), Rosedale, Newton Park Indoor Pool, Motherwell, and Rivera (Malabar).
The seven outdoor pools will operate according to the following dates and times:
- 16 December 2025 – 31 March 2026: All outdoor pools open daily
- 31 January – 31 March 2026: Pools open on weekends only
- 28 March – 7 April 2026: Pools open daily
Operating hours for outdoor pools will be 10:00–18:00, while the Newton Park Indoor Pool will continue operating from 06:00–20:00. To ensure safety across all facilities, the Municipality will deploy seasonal staff, including 45 lifeguards, 11 ticket office attendants, and 25 cleaners.
Public Security measures have been put in place through contracted services and the proposed deployment of EPWP security personnel to assist with crowd control and patron safety. Some swimming pools that will not be opened this season remain a work in progress due to repairs and maintenance requirements. Budget constraints do not allow the Municipality to refurbish all pools within a single financial year.
Preparations also include securing essential chemicals and upgrading water treatment systems to maintain high water quality standards. During periods when pools are closed to the general public, access will be prioritised for schools, Learn to Swim programmes, and water safety initiatives.
Member of the Mayoral Committee for Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture, Cllr Neville Higgins, said the Municipality is committed to ensuring that residents have access to safe recreational spaces during the peak summer season. “This approach allows us to balance budget constraints, safety requirements, and community access, while ensuring that our facilities remain well-managed and compliant with operational standards,” MMC Higgins said.
Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Executive Mayor, Cllr Babalwa Lobishe, said the work done to prepare the swimming pools forms part of a holistic summer season plan. “We need safe spaces and places for our children to enjoy the summer holidays. We are also taking our Learn to Swim programmes seriously, as they provide our children with an important life skill. It is for this reason that we must continue to accommodate Learn to Swim programmes,” said Executive Mayor Lobishe. Residents are encouraged to follow the Municipality’s official platforms for updates on opening dates, operating hours, and safety guidelines.
