The City will pilot extended weekday operating hours at its 31 outdoor community swimming pools following requests from residents to keep pools open after schools have reopened.

From Wednesday, 28 January 2026 until 6 April 2026, community swimming pools will operate from Wednesday to Sunday as part of a pilot aimed at assessing public demand and long-term feasibility.

In previous years, pools reverted to weekend-only operations once schools reopened, due to lower attendance and the need to manage operational costs. However, the City says it has received ongoing feedback from communities calling for continued midweek access to public pools.

“These requests from residents are the reason we are testing this approach,” the City said, noting that the pilot will help determine whether extended weekday operations can be sustained in future summer seasons.

From 28 January to 22 March, pools will be closed on Mondays and Tuesdays for essential maintenance and staff wellbeing, and open from Wednesday to Sunday between 10:00 and 18:00. During the school holiday period, from 23 March to 6 April, pools will return to daily operations before closing for the season on 7 April.

The City said the pilot is possible due to extensive repairs and upgrades carried out at public swimming pools in recent years, allowing more facilities to remain operational for longer periods.

Six pools, namely Manenberg, Langa, Lentegeur, Goodwood, Bellville South and Delft, will temporarily close from early February 2026 to undergo major infrastructure repairs ahead of the 2026/27 summer season. Residents are advised that repairs at Retreat Swimming Pool have been completed, and the facility reopened on 23 January.

Daily access remains available at the City’s indoor pools in Retreat, Blue Downs, Long Street and Strand, as well as the Sea Point swimming pool.

Over the past three financial years, the City has invested approximately R113.5 million in swimming pool upgrades and maintenance. As a result, 36 of the City’s 37 pools are open this summer, compared to 26 during the 2022/23 season.

The City said usage data from the pilot will guide future decisions on whether public swimming pools can operate seven days a week throughout the summer in response to community demand.

Visitors are advised to contact the individual pool to confirm operating hours.