Old swimming pool: splash or smash?

GRAAFF-REINET NEWS - Ward 2 Councillor Ricardo Smith made waves at the Dr Beyers Naudé Local Municipality's special council meeting on Tuesday 22 November when he tabled a motion that the old swimming pool building in Cradock Street be sold voetstoots for a reasonable amount or, alternatively, be demolished.

Smith moved that Council should recognise that a resolution to sell the building was passed, but that the municipality could not find a buyer since the reserve price was too high.

He said criminals and vagrants have occupied the building and that crime in the area has increased significantly. Council should resolve that manageable time-frames be adopted for the implementation of the resolution.

The motion failed, but the issue was referred to the Infrastructure Directorate with the order that they return to Council with a proposal regarding the pool within a month.

The motion is a hot topic and has sparked a public debate with vastly differing options and opinions.

Johnny Swartz, chairperson of the newly established Camdeboo Community Development Forum, says Council again failed to follow proper procedure. However, there is uncertainty about the forum's own official position, as the motion was seconded by Councillor Sakkie van Zyl who serves as office bearer on the executive committee of the forum.

The Graaff-Reinet Residents and Ratepayers Association (GRRPA) have been in regular communication with the municipality about the safety and security issues at the pool.

"The old swimming pool building has turned into a breeding ground for crime and the GRRPA has asked the municipality many times to deal with it, but nothing has been done. The building will have to be fixed up, sold, or demolished – either way, the municipality will have to comply with the relevant municipal by-law [that says it must maintain its buildings and prevent illegal occupation]," says the GRRPA.

The Action Save DBNLM Movement previously opposed the alienation of municipal assets, including the old swimming pool, based on the fact that the municipality failed to conduct proper public participation. Sias Smith, convener of Action Save, says they are still strongly opposed to the sale of public assets that should be enjoyed by the community, including the poorest of the poor.

"What guarantee do we have that the poor will be able to afford access if we allow public assets to be sold to the private sector? The DA is so conceited and selfish that such a motion can be expected of them." Smith is of the opinion that the pool should be renovated. A member of the GRRPA agrees that renovating the pool would be first prize but says this will never happen because the municipality does not have money.

"In my opinion it should be demolished. It was on the market for R800 000 and there were no buyers. The municipality has allowed it to be stripped. I can't imagine anyone wanting to buy it. What could it be used for without spending a lot of money with little hope of making anything from it? Even if it gets sold and renovated, people may be too nervous to go there."

Some are opposed to selling the old swimming pool and the situation has deteriorated to such extent that demolition may be the only viable option. Photos: Chriszanne Janse van Vuuren