Suburban
Greendale residents have formed a committee that will oversee the refurbishment and overall management of the community’s council owned Greendale Swimming Pool as they move towards resuscitating the pool.
Ivan Zhakata Suburban Reporter
The committee will be working closely with the council’s district office to make sure that the swimming pool is well maintained.
Greendale Community Swimming Pool Interim Committee comprises of Lona Bartosz as the chairperson, Dalubuhle Sibanda, Derrick Mackenzie, Shania Bartosz, Godwin Kanongovere, Christina Chima and Sue Bell.
Key members of the committee are Vivienne Croisette, who is responsible for marketing and fundraising, and two City of Harare, a Mr Mpofu and a Mr Handson.
Recently, the residents mobilised each other to contribute towards the resuscitation of the swimming pool.
The swimming pool has not been working for more than two years due to lack of maintenance by council.
The residents have since formed a WhatsApp group where they are working on ways to make the swimming pool function for the benefit of the local residents, their children and other stakeholders such as schools.
“I have formed this group having spoken our district office and municipal pool authorities in a hope that we as a community can help and coordinate the repairs and upkeep of the Greendale Swimming Pool. It is a lovely pool with a long history since 1956.
“Many of the community have helped and are helping the facility. I am sure with us pulling together again, we can help to repair and upgrade the filtration system for a clear blue pool knowing it will be there for many more years,” said one of the residents.
Observed another resident: “Currently the facility is in need of some plumbing repairs, a filtration and motor or pump upgrade to ensure a lovely welcoming recreational use of the facility that has been running since 1956. As a community, working with the relevant authority in our council, and municipal pools personnel, this facility will be able to help many young and mature members to have a life skill.”
The City of Harare has been struggling to maintain a number of its swimming pools located in residential areas, compelling residents who value the recreational facilities to chip in and assist. Sporting organisations have also assisted in the repair and maintenance of some of the swimming pool to enable their athletes to have training facilities and venues for competitions.
In 2018, Triathlon Zimbabwe helped repair Mt Pleasant Swimming Pool in an effort, which gave the facility a new fresh look.
Triathlon Zimbabwe in partnership with the Harare City Council mobilised for donations which were used in renovating the swimming pool, regarded as one of Harare’s best maintained council-owned pools.
The pool got its broken, cracked and missing tiles replaced while the old rusty sump grill was also replaced. The steps were also replaced and it the pool was cleaned inside out leaving it sparkling clean.
It is used by the public as well as the Triathlon Zimbabwe for their annual triathlon and aquathlon competitions.
Triathlon Zimbabwe’s Colin Weston narrated how the renovations were undertaken highlighting and explained the partnership with the City of Harare.
“Maintenance of the pool is the responsibility of Triathlon Zimbabwe who have an agreement with Harare City Council to run their triathlon events at the pool in return for buying chemicals and doing any repairs required.”
