Officials from the metro led by the MMC for Environment and Waste Management Services, Ndosi Shongwe, officially reopened the revamped Boksburg Lake park to the community of Boksburg.
The first phase cost R3.5-million, which took place from October 1, 2015, to June 11, 2016.
Some of the worked carried out in phase one was site clearance, earthworks, breaking and removal of the old restaurant building platform and its foundation, tree felling and roots removal, installation of new turf valve irrigation, construction of a new amphitheater, planting of new trees and laying of a new pedestrian walkway.
The second phase took place from April 5 to September 26, 2017, and cost R6-m. Some of the work carried out was the demolition of dilapidated low building structures, removal of existing tarmac (including kerbing), removal of the steel palisade fence and installation of park benches and litter bins.
The third phase cost R12-m and ran from October 1, 2017, to June 30, 2018.
The work included the repair of the pedestrian bridge, construction of a new parking area (including an access road), planting of new grass and trees, building of new entrance/gate walls, instillation of a new steel fence and gates, and installation of safety rubber paving around the new play and gym equipment.
According to Shongwe, the department spent about R21.9-m on the upgrade.
“Whoever uses this facility must take into consideration that we have spent so much money to make this park beautiful, so it’s important for the community to look after it at all times.
“The Boksburg Lake is a place to relax, exercise and for our children to play in a safe and stimulating environment.”
Shongwe said she wasn’t happy with the entrance area.
“The entrance area must be able to accommodate people in wheelchairs and the elderly, who will be able to enter easily when it’s paved smoothly,” she said.
The project manager highlighted that the last phase will entail improving the water quality of the lake.
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- Lake remediation
Last year November, an article published by the Advertiser stated that the metro had appointed SRK Consulting to assess the state of Boksburg Lake and find the best option to improve the water.
According to metro spokesperson Themba Gadebe, SRK had already completed the scientific studies and had recently drawn up the rehabilitation plan.
Gadebe said SRK was awarded the tender after a public tender process. He added that the full awarded tender amount was R2 231 275.
Some of the interesting features of the park are the climbing wall, play park, gym trim, outdoor fitness equipment, kick-about soccer field and basketball courts as well as a dedicated braai area.
While at the park, the Advertiser noticed that there were no ablution facilities and that several water taps had been stolen.
According to the head of department for waste management, Faith Mabindisa, the metro will place temporary potable ablution facilities while they try and sort out the issue of vandalism.
She said there was an ablution facility near the hall, but vandalism had left it out of commission. She urged the community to report any vandalism.
- Councillor not impressed
Ward councillor Marius de Vos, who didn’t attend the opening, said the Boksburg Lake was opened prematurely.
“Boksburg Lake has been under construction for the past three and a half years, ranging from construction of an amphitheatre to paved pathways around the lake. What is visibly absent or omitted in all construction phases is ablution facilities.
“It is mind-boggling to observe that consulting engineers have forgotten in all three preceding phases to include ablution facilities.
“What disturbs me the most is that the executive committee of Ekurhuleni has decided to officially open the lake to the public, knowing full well that the fourth phase has just started.
“It also seems that the municipality is eager to spend large sums of financial resources on constructing parks but does not care to maintain these facilities. Most of the time, the area around the lake is strewn with litter and the grass is overgrown.
“The water body has not been attended to yet. Discharge from some factories upstream continuously pollutes the water in the lake and is affecting the entire wetland system, including the Cinderella dam,” he said.
Mxedisi Dubazana from Ramaphosa informal settlement said he was happy that the metro had officially reopened the park because he often found the park gates locked when he wanted to use the gym equipment.
Goodman Gubheka, who also came to witness the reopening of the park, said: “I’m not impressed with the launch of the park. People need employment and not gym equipment.”
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