Linden swimming pool’s long freeze

As a rare heated public pool and a year-round home for swimmers across the city, Linden swimming pool is supposed to be one of Joburg’s crown jewels. Yet for the past five months, ‘heated’ has just been a label. What should be warm, welcoming water has instead turned into a cold-water struggle for schools, athletes and residents who depend on it.

One of those feeling the effects of the bitter cold pinch of the water is Roy Lotkin, a residential licensed affiliated swimming coach based at the pool for 40 years. “Swimming is my passion, and I make a living from Linden pool.” He said the current state of the pool is all due to poor maintenance, negligence and incompetence. “We are now two months away from winter, and nothing has been done, and this is not only going to put our lives in jeopardy but also the schools that make use of this pool.” Ward 99 councillor Hendrik Bodenstein said that the pool’s rough run dates back to spring 2025.

“What started as maintenance delays that pushed back our opening date turned into a much bigger headache when the heating system packed up shortly after.” He pointed out that for a pool that’s supposed to be a year-round hub, being stuck with cold water just isn’t an option, especially for the schools, clubs, and residents who rely on it every day. “Linden isn’t just a public pool. It’s an iconic Johannesburg landmark,” he said, adding it hosts prestigious galas and serves as the training ground for the local swimming talent.

[paywall]

So, when a flagship facility like this stays dark (or cold), the whole community feels it. He was quite direct in pointing out how patching up an outdated system isn’t working anymore. “We need to get smarter about how we manage our assets.

We should swap the old, failing heaters for modern heat pumps. They’re more reliable, energy-efficient, and, crucially, parts are actually available when something goes wrong.” Bodenstein reckons the city needs to be more open to innovation and community investment. Being of the mind that if residents or partners are willing to help the city keep the lights on and the water warm, they should be listening.

“This isn’t just about a quick fix; it’s about making sure Linden pool is still here for the next generation. “We deserve a facility that works. I am calling on the relevant departments to make sure we don’t just ‘fix’ the pool, but actually modernise it so it can finally operate at the standard this community deserves.” The City of Joburg were sent questions regarding the matter. Look out for their response in one of our upcoming print editions.

[/paywall]