eThekwini Municipality says Kings Park swimming pool renovations still on track, set to be complete in June 2026
The eThekwini Municipality says renovations at the Kings Park Swimming pool in Durban will resume in December.
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The eThekwini Municipality has moved to dispel concerns about the progress of the work to repair and renovate Durban's Kings Park Swimming Pool, stating that the work is set to resume in December this year.
The municipality clarified that the work has not been halted but new procurement processes are underway to finalise the project.
Community members had expressed worry about the project's status, fearing that work in the area had stopped.
The pool is undergoing significant upgrades and repairs. Reports indicate that the pool was closed in November 2024 to allow for a major refurbishment after strong winds damaged the roof.
eThekwini Municipality’s spokesperson, Gugu Sisilana, stated that Phase 1 is complete, while documentation for Phase 2 is being finalised through architectural panels.
“The construction work will commence on 1 December 2025. Administrative and procurement work is currently underway,” she added.
“The project has not been halted. The Municipality had to start a new procurement process since the financial year began in July with the new budget allocation. The new completion date is June 2026,” she concluded.
A statement from the municipality earlier this year noted that the Kings Park Swimming Pool, one of the premier aquatic venues, is undergoing a significant revamp. An amount of R42 million has been allocated to rehabilitate the facility, enhancing both its aesthetics and functionality. This upgrade is part of the City’s ongoing maintenance programme for all municipal swimming venues.
The statement highlighted that the Kings Park Swimming Complex features both indoor and outdoor facilities. The indoor section boasts a 50-metre swimming pool, while the outdoor area includes a diving pool that is 25 metres long and 6.5 metres deep.
Furthermore, it is the only swimming facility in South Africa that has FINA (International Swimming Federation) accreditation, recognised by the International Olympic Committee for hosting international water sports competitions.
Democratic Liberal Congress (DLC) Leader Patrick Pillay stated that the delays in the upgrade are both unacceptable and unfortunate.
“The Kings Park Swimming Pool is an internationally recognised facility that attracts people from throughout South Africa and the world. The DLC is very concerned that this has stalled Durban’s ability to host major national and international aquatic events, affecting the city’s sports tourism and economic gains.”
He said local clubs and community programmes have also lost access to a world-class facility, limiting training opportunities and youth development.
Pillay added that the delay also risks higher maintenance costs and reputational damage to Durban’s image as a premier sporting destination.
“Until renovations resume, the city and its aquatic sports community will continue to feel the social and economic ripple effects of this interruption,” he said.
DA caucus spokesperson Thabani Ndlovu also expressed concern.
“As much as we appreciate that there may be external factors affecting the progress of the Kings Park Pool revamp, the DA is extremely concerned about the ongoing delays in this project. Everyone knows that this facility is one of the city’s key attractions during this period (summer), and its continued closure is deeply worrying.
“eThekwini Municipality is not paying sufficient attention to this matter, and the lack of urgency will have a detrimental effect on tourism and the local economy. The DA calls on the municipality to prioritise the completion of this project and ensure that the pool is reopened to the public without further delay.”