Durban’s Kings Park Swimming Pool repairs grind to a halt
· The South African
Durban’s long-awaited Kings Park Swimming Pool refurbishment has hit another major setback, with construction work temporarily coming to a halt because of budget shortfalls and previously undiscovered structural damage.
The Olympic-sized swimming pool was closed in November 2024 for a major refurbishment after strong winds damaged the roof over the facility.
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The project was previously expected to be completed by July 2026, but eThekwini Municipality has now confirmed that work has stopped while additional funding is being finalised.
Salt damage created an unexpected problem
According to eThekwini Municipality spokesperson Senzelwe Mzila, further damage was discovered to the structural steel during the refurbishment.
The pool is located less than 5km from the coastline, and exposed steel had suffered damage from salt deposits caused by sea spray beyond what was initially identified when the project began.
The additional structural damage means more funding is required to complete the work.
“The municipality anticipates that work will resume once the additional budget has been finalised,” Mzila said, as per IOL.
This means there is currently no clear new completion date for the project.
A R86 million refurbishment for Kings Park swimming pool
Previous reports from the municipality put the project’s Bill of Quantities at R86 million, with the refurbishment implemented in phases because of budget availability.
A total of R42 million was allocated during the 2024/25 financial year, while R20 million was allocated for the second phase in 2025/26.
An estimated R24 million was still outstanding and was expected to be budgeted for in later phases.
The City has previously stressed that the phased approach was due to the availability of funding rather than rising project costs.
Despite the latest setback, significant work has already been completed. Phase one was finished in September 2025 at a cost of R41.2 million.
Completed work included major structural, electrical and mechanical upgrades, as well as aesthetic improvements.
The work carried out included:
- Repairs and refurbishment of structural steel
- Reconstruction and redesign of steel roof members
- Repairs to concrete columns
- Removal and reinstallation of roof sheeting and metal cladding
- Electrical stripping and reinstallation
- Mechanical work
- Painting
- New mural beam artwork
However, the discovery of additional corrosion and decay means further work is now required before the facility can reopen.
With construction work halted pending the finalisation of additional funding, the pool’s reopening has been pushed further into uncertainty.
After nearly two years of closure and tens of millions of rand already spent on the refurbishment, Durban swimmers and sporting organisations will now have to wait for the City to secure the funding needed to get work moving again.