The Bloekombos Community Hall is set to rise from the ashes at a cost of R11.3m by early 2023.
The City’s Sub-council 2 recently announced that the community hall, which had been razed to the ground by irate Bloekombos residents in 2014, would be rebuilt.
Though a report tabled at a recent sub-council meeting pegged the estimated total cost at R10m, mayco member for community service and health Patricia van der Ross said the figure had been revised to R11.3m.
Over the years, vandals stripped the remains of the hall on Sam Njokozela Avenue until only the metal rafters and four frames were left. The site had become a littered eyesore which, at some point, had been invaded by homeless people.
Security guard Loyiso Madolo said the site supervisor was expected to visit last week.
Ms Van der Ross said the remaining steel frame will be demolished as the fire had compromised its structural integrity.
She said the new Bloekombos Community Hall will boast additional ablutions and there will be added features to meet the fire safety requirements.
Ms Van der Ross said the new layout has been amended to meet the current building development management and land use management regulations.
She added that the City will put out all the stops to make sure history doesn’t repeat itself in terms of the safety of the facility.
“The City’s Recreation and Parks Department has employed 24 hour security to protect the amenity from being destroyed and encourages residents to report any acts of vandalism to the City’s Law Enforcement Department,” she said, urging whistleblowers to contact 107 from a landline or 021 480 7700 from a cellphone, or to send an email to RP.Enquiries@capetown.gov.za
Ms Van der Ross said the site was handed over for construction on Wednesday April 6. Her portfolio estimates the duration for the project to be 11 months with completion in February 2023.
She said a media release will be sent out when the hall is reopened.