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Tuesday 22 February 2011
Tel: 021 713 9440 Fax: 021 713 9481
New bid to cover Retreat pool TASMIN CUPIDO
BRAVING the icy winds while training to become a top swimmer is a struggle more than 50 Retreat Aquatics Club members must deal with daily.
Housing concerns
22
Robberies at rail bridge 33
Turf trouble – again 16 16
Duram White 20L ext./int.
But plans by the Retreat Aquatics Club for funding from the Lotto Board of South Africa to have the pool covered are again in the pipeline, with the City of Cape Town’s support. “A covered pool will be to the benefit of our swimmers, as well as the rest of the community,” the club’s chairperson, Ebrahim Cassiem, says. “The Cape Town weather, especially the wind, has a huge influence on training and the attendance from swimmers. In summer the water is sometimes 15°C, with the wind contributing heavily to the conditions.” The club serves swimmers from the greater Retreat area, Grassy Park, Ottery, Southfield and Wynberg. The proposed application will be the second time the club applies for funding from the Lotto Board. “In 2002 the club acted on a directive from Swimming South Africa (SSA) to apply for funding to have the pool heated and covered,” Cassiem says. “We followed the entire procedure, but we were informed that we were not successful. However, the board had allocated an amount of R4,9 million to cover and heat the pool.” They had initially applied for an amount of more than R7 million. In 2004, work commenced at the site with cast-iron pipes replacing plastic pipes. A new filtration plant was also connected, ablution facilities upgraded, heaters installed and certain areas paved. However, the roof was never constructed. At the time, People’s Post report-
Photo: Tasmin Cupido
ed on the club’s then-executive committee’s dissatisfaction with the way the allocated funds were spent by SSA. (“Pool plan not going swimmingly”, People’s Post, 31 October 2006). They demanded that Swim SA provide them with a formal account of the final costs. And the confusion, concerns and uneasiness still lingers. To add to the club’s woes, the newly-installed heaters – which were never used because the pool was not covered – were the target of vandals in 2008 (“Cold comfort for swimmers”, People’s Post, 5 February 2008). Shaun Adriaanse, president of SSA, confirms that R4,9 million was allocated for the structural upgrade of the Retreat swimming pool. “When the Retreat Aquatics Club made the application to the Lotto Board, the initial plan was to cover and heat the pool,” he says. “But they were not successful in the application for the covering. However, the allocated money was set aside for upgrades and structural changes such as the installation of a new filtration system and the heaters, as well as the upgrade of the ablution facilities.” Adriaanse says at that time, covering the pool would have cost more
than R7 million. “Once the heaters were installed, they were vandalised and Swim SA paid extra to have it fixed,” Adriaanse says. But the club, which celebrates its 35th anniversary this year, is looking forward to the future. “If we ever hope to get our swimmers to compete at the top international competitions, it is imperative that our swimmers train twice a day – a morning and evening session for up to seven hours in total,” Cassiem says. “Therefore it is crucial that we have a heated and covered facility where athletes can train all year round, and not for four or five months like we currently do.” Come May the winter season commences and the club remains unsure about a training location. “We previously trained at Sweet Valley Primary School’s pool, but we have been informed that our contract is not up for renewal this year,” he says. “We previously signed a sixmonth contract for R6 000 with the school, which was reasonable. Financially we will not be able to pay much more – we are running around to try to find a venue.” The city currently has only two municipal indoor pools – Long
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Infinity Masonry Primer 20L
Tylon CM 9 20kg
23.95
Street and Strand – while the University of the Western Cape, gyms and schools are the only other options. “Not having an indoor facility breaks the continuity of the swimmers. Many of them do not come because of fees,” Cassiem says. “And we are losing all our strong swimmers to clubs that have the facilities in place.” Says Adriaanse: “We strongly encourage municipalities across the country to heat and cover the pools, as this will only be a benefit to swimmers. Should the club again apply to the Lotto Board for funding and the correct channels are followed, we will support them.” Local ward councillor, Jan Burger, says he will support the club’s application to the Lotto Board should they carry through with their plans. “It can only benefit our competition swimmers and the community,” he says. “This is one of the only recreational facilities in the area – we need any funding we can get to better the facility.” Burger adds that council is meticulous with regular upgrades. “The pool is regularly maintained, just recently the entire building was painted.”
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Duram Roofkote 20L
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BRAVING THE COLD: As mist rolls in over the mountains, swimmers of the Retreat Aquatics Club continue to train.
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Alluminium Sliding Door 1.8m
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84.95
Prices valid until 28 Feb 2010. We reserve the right to limit quantities. All credit cards accepted, E&OE. We deliver. • OPEN ON SUNDAYS
59.95