Butterworth 'state-of-the-art' public pool left in ruins

BUTTERWORTH - Over R13 million was spent to refurbish a swimming pool in the Mnqoma Local Municipality, into a state-of-the-art facility.

However, looking at it now, it is difficult to see where all the money was spent since construction began in 2008.

The provincial department blames local authorities, who in turn say the fault lies with an underperforming contractor, drought and vandalism.

The Eastern Cape Department of Sports, Recreation, Arts, and  Culture says it handed over the facility to the Mnqoma Local Municipality before it was even vandalised.

The department says it does not know where it will receive funding to once again refurbish the facility. The department says it has spent over and above what was expected and that the municipality should have taken more responsibility for ensuring that the people of town enjoyed a world-class facility.