Major improvements loom for uMhlanga lifeguard facilities

ETHEKWINI Municipality is to spend R4-million on improving the uMhlanga lifeguard facilities as well as demolishing and rebuilding the existing lifeguard tower on the uMhlanga main beach.

This comes after the municipality established that the use of the existing lifeguard tower has changed and that improvements need to be made to the tower and the lifeguards’ facilities. 

According to the municipality’s architecture department, the tower is not used to its full potential and that it is in dire need of an upgrade. 

The upgrade

It was announced late last week the existing tower will be demolished this month and changes will be made to the lifeguard facilities that are just behind the tower. The municipality said public safety is of vital importance as the section from La Spiaggia Trattoria to the end of the lifeguard offices will be closed during construction. 

At the lifeguard offices, extra change rooms for staff will be extended and more bathrooms will be built for the lifeguards. Emergency rooms will also be upgraded. The external structure of the office will not change, but water leaks will be fixed on the roof. 

The current lifeguard tower will be demolished, but the sub-structure will be re-used. The municipality said the new tower will be c-shaped, made of concrete, will have a 180 degree view of the beach, will consist of one level, with a balcony, a small kitchen and a first aid room. 

While the tower is being demolished and construction on the new tower starts, there will be a temporary facility on the stage to the left of the tower. 
Construction vehicles will use the delivery and pedestrian lane alongside La Spiaggia Trattoria to gain access to the construction site and the current paving will be lifted to prevent damage to the promenade. 

Beach closed for construction

The beach will also be closed during the construction of the tower. All construction is expected to be completed by October. The public bathrooms do not form part of the construction work and according to the municipality there shouldn’t be any water interruptions for extended periods. 

During the construction process, Simon Zulu and Bongi Masuku (uMhlanga community liaison officers) will help the construction company, Uthongathi Construction, source local labourers as well as any sub contractors. 

Contact details for community liaison officers

Zulu and Masuku’s other role as community liaison officers are to bridge the gaps between the municipality, the construction company and the community and to voice any concerns raised by either party. 
They can be contacted on 073 911 8752 regarding any construction work in the uMhlanga area, not only the lifeguard facilities’ upgrade.