Cape Town swimming pool closed after burglary and vandalism

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Retreat swimming pool takes a hit

Cape Town’s popular Retreat swimming pool has reportedly been closed to the public, after vandals broke into the facility on Friday, 25 April.

According to the City of Cape Town, staff arrived on Friday morning to find that the swimming pool plant room had been broken into, along with significant damage.

The staff also found that the water level in the pool had dropped significantly, so the water to the facility was then shut off to prevent any further water loss.

The thieves apparently stole all pipes leading to the swimming pool filters and vandalised a number of other components in the plant room.

The City said that permanent repairs of the swimming pool are scheduled to commence on Tuesday, 29 April.

“This setback is incredibly disappointing and frustrating. An assessment has to be completed to determine the extent of the damage, and then the process will begin to do repairs. This facility is a hub for many local users, including swimming clubs and the latest closure is a blow. I want to appeal to the community to please come forward with any information that could help identify those responsible for this wanton act of destruction,” Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Francine Higham said in a statement.

End of beach and pool season

This, unfortunately, comes after the City recently marked the end of the summer beach and pool season in the City of Cape Town, with lifeguards officially going off duty and the majority of swimming pools closing.

The majority of Cape Town’s public pools have now closed for the winter season, with the exception of indoor pools, including Retreat swimming pool, which usually operate throughout the year.