Kloof hall revived by community
The 50-year-old building had fallen into disrepair, until residents stepped in to restore it to a vibrant, community venue.
THE hall, built in 1972, is the First Kloof Scout Group’s headquarters. The building was in a derelict state when Melloney and Alain Rijnvis thought it a promising dance studio venue.
Melloney said, “Our professional Dance2Dance International (D2Di) facility closed after the Covid-19 pandemic, and we had to adjust like many other businesses. In January, we came across the scout hall close to our home. The Scout Group holds the lease from the municipality, and we approached them to use the hall.”
The family survived a home invasion in 2017, where Alain was injured as he repelled the criminals. It was discovered that the perpetrators hid in Memorial Park prior to the crime. Thus, the hall renovation, which is situated adjacent to the park, is a meaningful project for the couple. Along with improving the area’s security, the Rijnvis’ felt the neglected building was affecting property values in the area.
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Scoutmaster Richard Loubser said, “The hall is the weekly meeting place for the cubs and scouts. Over time, the structure of the hall, particularly the roof, had deteriorated to where it was a safety concern.”
Melloney says, “We decided to take the project on to help where we could by raising funds and awareness. We knew we must urgently redo the roof, and we turned to the community.”
A market night and movie night were held, families and businesses donated materials and time, and the roof repair began. Trees were trimmed, alien vegetation was removed, painting of the interior, the installation of new ceiling boards and downlighters are underway, and the kitchen will be upgraded. The final step will be landscaping and the installation of new gates. The project has volunteers, corporates, and organisations on board, like the Kloof Conservancy.
“Our community has put their hands up, and it’s humbling. We have never been part of a community project before, but this is providing a building for the area, for the community to benefit from. I am impressed with how everyone came together. We can’t do it alone,” said Melloney.
The hall is used by several groups which include the First Kloof Scouts, three dance studios and a dog trainer, and it will be available for functions. The Rijnvis feel that the renovation has revived more than the hall.
“Some volunteers signed their kids up for the scouts. We are so happy that we were able to not just help the building, but also the scouts, whose membership was impacted by the pandemic. Without the community, this project would not have happened. It is great to be able to give the next generation a vibrant venue,” says Melloney.
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As the project continues, people have spoken of the role the hall played in their past. Melloney’s brother did his karate gradings there, and a donor explained that his wife’s 21st birthday party was celebrated in the hall.
Loubser adds, “Scouts and cubs offer an environment for young people to develop technical and leadership skills to use in later life. The Scout Movement helps the development of citizenship and community awareness. The hall is the facility essential to providing this growth opportunity to young people.”
The renovation is dedicated to the NHW patrollers in the area, with a free Wi-Fi zone for their use at the hall. Melloney says it is their way of thanking them for the work.
The Kloof community is invited to a Christmas market at the hall this weekend, which aims to raise funds for hall maintenance and the Scout Movement.
Date: December, 3 between 09:00 to 15:00.
Venue: Brian Godbold Hall, 14 Buckingham Road, Kloof.
To book a stall, call 083 543 4521.
