JPC hopes to put Jewish Guild on tender soon

The Johannesburg Property Company (JPC) is hoping to find new occupants for the old Jewish Guild Bowling Club, in Observatory, soon.

Mr Brian Mahlangu, from the JPC, said the bid spec committee will be finalising the content, requirements and standards to be used for releasing the facility on tender.

“It is one of many we are planning to take to tender before end of year,” he said.

The club has not had a lessee for years and as a result, the building has deteriorated. After the Jewish Guild stopped operating at the premises, the building was vandalised and the memorabilia left behind was either stolen or vandalised.

Several people moved into the building illegally as well.

The EXPRESS previously reported that the JPC dismissed an internal administrator after an investigation revealed that a fraudulent lease was issued to members of a church.

The JPC said the occupants were issued a 50-year lease.

A notice was issued stating that church members were to stop using the facility.

On February 15 this year, authorities evicted yet another group of people believed to be operating a church illegally at the facility.

According to Mr Mahlangu, the church members were duped into believing an application was submitted to the JPC. The church did not submit any application or receive any approval from the JPC to occupy the site. They were given a lease by people who posed as agents of the JPC.

Several other illegal tenants were found on the premises and told to vacate the property.

This is one of several council-owned facilities in the area that has suffered at the hands of vandals and thieves.

The old Rhodes Park restaurant building is nothing but a shell. Thieves have stolen several items of value and the building has been badly vandalised. The roof, tiles and window frames were broken and all fittings were removed. The walls are broken, floors are burnt in certain areas and covered in garbage, and the building is used as a toilet. Criminals are also hiding in the building to keep an eye on visitors.

The JPC stated that a lease for the use of the building was issued but was soon cancelled.

According to Mr Mahlangu, the lease was cancelled because of the company’s non-performance.

The Cyrildene Bowling Club was also vandalised and used by vagrants as a home.

However, the JPC recently awarded a lease to Ms Lola Verlaque, from Edenvale.

In a recent article published in the EXPRESS, Ms Verlaque said she and her family are working quickly to fix the building and open it to the public.

She hopes it will be a venue where people can meet, relax and adopt a healthier lifestyle.

The tennis courts are being refurbished and Ms Verlaque hopes to use the two halls for dancing, yoga, martial arts or other activities that benefit people.

She plans to open the facility to the public early next year.