Cape Town: The City will pilot extended weekday operating hours at its 31 community swimming pools, with their reopening from Wednesdays to Sundays from Jan 28, 2026 to Apr 06, 2026.
These 31 outdoor community swimming pools were reverted to weekend operations from Monday, Jan 19, 2026 but will soon reopen again for extended weekday operations on a pilot basis.
Due to the drop in demand once schools reopen, and to ensure the effective management of operational costs, the standard operating procedure as of now has been reverted to weekend-only operations during these periods.
Reportedly, the City of Cape Town has received requests over time from within communities to retain some midweek operations once schools reopen. This will be piloted at all swimming pools for the rest of the season, ending Apr 06, 2026, to assess demand and viability.
Member of the Mayoral Committee for Community Services and Health – Councillor Francine Higham said that this pilot is made possible by the extensive repairs and upgrades to pools in recent years, which means many more pools can open for extended periods.
She stated that they are pleased to confirm that from Wednesday, Jan 28, 2026 their community pools will be open from Wednesday to Sunday each week. After an incredibly busy summer season during which pools were open seven days a week, they are retaining Mondays and Tuesdays for essential maintenance and to maintain staff wellbeing.
Higham added that the usage results of this pilot will inform what happens in years to come, and whether it is feasible to operate these facilities seven days a week throughout the summer months.
Over the past three financial years, the City of Cape Town has invested approximately R113.5 million in swimming pool upgrades and maintenance across the metropole. As a result of this phased investment, 36 out of the 37 pools of the city are open this summer as compared to 26 in the 2022-23 season.
Additional investment is in progress. Once the adjustments budget is finalised, the total capital budget for swimming pools in this financial year will increase by more than double, from just under R12.5 million to nearly R29.7 million.
Swimming pools set to benefit from the additional funding including those mentioned for February closure namely Bellville South, Delft, Langa, Lentegeur, Goodwood and Manenberg.
Cllr Francine Higham affirmed that the swimming pools are more than recreational spaces; they are safe, inclusive places that support physical health, mental wellbeing and social connection.
For young people, pools provide positive, supervised spaces during the summer months, and for older residents they offer accessible opportunities to stay active and connected. Continued investment in these facilities is an investment in the dignity, health and quality of life of the communities.