Besides bringing in some transparency with online registrations, a few other tweaks have been made, like session times and timings for women swimmers. Plans are on to build six new swimming pools in the city.

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While the changes and more pools may be welcome, care has to be taken that these pools do not become unaffordable for the general public. In June last year, this paper had a report stating that members were feeling the pinch as fees went up to R10,100 per year. Families were struggling as the fees, they felt, were steep.

The civic authorities need to re-look at this and give meaning to the word public in these pools. Public means they should be accessible to all. The 10 per cent hike per year means they are moving to unaffordable for many.

There are also maintenance issues at the pools. From quality of water which should be good, to shower rooms and changing facilities, one does see complaints that fees are up but quality is down. It is not just numbers that count but how the pools are maintained and how affordable the fee is are important.