The construction work on the 400-seat amphitheatre began in September last year and was scheduled to be completed this year, in March, according to a statement issued by the municipality.
Although significant progress was made by the main contractors in the project’s first phase, the facility is still not ready for use.
The project has already taken almost double the stipulated time frame for completion.
Although the structure of the newly constructed facility appears to be completed, as previously reported in this publication, metro spokesperson Themba Gadebe has this week confirmed that the public amenity is still under construction.
“It is not yet ready for usage as there is still paving and parking areas to be completed,” said Gadebe.
However, the Advertiser has, on numerous occasions, visited the site and discovered that the main contractors have left, and there was no construction work taking place at the site.
The Advertiser has also noticed that, while on the one hand the metro is trying to give the Boksburg Lake a major facelift, vandals are, on the other hand, helping themselves to the palisade fence in broad daylight.
Two high-mast poles were also left lying on the ground, making them very vulnerable to the scrap metal scavengers.
Regarding the on-going vandalism, Gadebe said the municipality is in the process of rescuing the steel palisade fencing panels and the two high-mast poles from thieves, by removing them.
“The existing steel palisade fencing panels and the two high-mast poles will be stored at the Parks Depot, to prevent theft by scavengers.
“An additional panel and two high-mast poles will be re-installed at the lake when it is more secured, as upgrading of the facility is still under way.
“The municipality is looking into deploying alternative security measures to safeguard the facility along the railway line,” said Gadebe. -@FanieFLK
