Costly revamp for dark pool tiles
The dark blue tiles at Rachell's pool in Durban are being replaced with lighter ones. The dark blue tiles at Rachell's pool in Durban are being replaced with lighter ones.
Durban beachfront residents are outraged that part of a R4.2 million tender is being spent on retiling the Rachel Finlayson Pool.
This was because the city had not heeded their warnings that the dark-blue tiles would be a safety concern for dark-skinned people if they got into difficulties when swimming under the water.
The city confirmed on Saturday that part of the revamp included changing the tiles to a lighter shade, either white or pale blue.
Head of communications Tozi Mthethwa said the upgrade was to “cut high filtration costs as well as to meet health and safety demands”.
But locals claim the dark tiles resulted in more drownings. They say while they raised the issue at a public forum in 2009, the city “turned a blind eye”.
The owner of Zalom Builders and Civic Works, Zamo Lombo, said the tender had been advertised in April and was awarded to his company on June 19. He said the main work on the project was to change the colour of the tiles from dark blue to light blue. He said there were problems in seeing swimmers below the surface because of the dark colour.
Work began two weeks ago and will finish in February. The contractors will also look at the flooring and walls of the pool as well as other maintenance problems.
The Sunday Tribune reported in 2011 that Sonke Shange, 18, drowned and two children, aged 7 and 8, had to be rescued in two separate incidents at the pool in 2010.
A lifeguard said that the dark tiles made it difficult to see swimmers under the water, especially in overcast weather.
Community activist Mike Bloxham said that if the municipality had listened to public opinions, this would have not happened. He said investigators had inspected the site in 2010 and submitted a report to the council, which was “swept under the carpet”.
Another beachgoer, Santi Pretorius, called the revamp “messed up”. He said it was good that the city was righting its wrong, but did not agree with the price tag attached.
Mthethwa said the upgrade would include work on expansion joints and pipe upgrades. – Sunday Tribune