Umlazi gets summer boost with refurbished swimming pool and new courts

Residents in Umlazi, Durban, are set to enjoy a summer boost with the reopening of a refurbished swimming pool and the introduction of new multi-sports courts. The eThekwini Municipality unveiled the upgraded facilities on Friday, following extensive rehabilitation work on the BB Swimming Pool, which had suffered significant damage. The improvements aim to provide residents with enhanced recreational opportunities, particularly during the festive season, and offer young people avenues to develop their sporting talents.

The swimming pool refurbishment was carried out in three phases, beginning in May 2025. Among the key additions is a dedicated children's swimming pool, designed to help young swimmers learn essential water safety skills and gain confidence in the water. This enhancement brings the total number of operational swimming pools in the eThekwini Municipality to 43.

The precinct has also been transformed into a sporting hub, with newly constructed multi-purpose courts catering for various sports such as basketball, tennis, netball, volleyball, and indoor soccer. These facilities are intended to encourage residents to engage in sports, adopt healthier lifestyles, and provide constructive activities for young people.

Councillor Zama Sokhabase, Chairperson of the Community Services Committee, emphasized that the investment extends beyond providing recreational spaces. The facilities are meant to nurture sporting talent, offer young people opportunities to develop their skills, and keep them away from the streets. She highlighted that sport plays a crucial role in building discipline, promoting healthy lifestyles, and creating positive pathways for youth.

Sokhabase also appealed to residents to protect the facilities against vandalism, urging them to use the spaces responsibly and ensure they remain available for future generations. The municipality has reminded swimmers to follow safety instructions from pool attendants and lifeguards, while parents and guardians are encouraged to closely supervise children, especially near the swimming pool.