Councillor disappointed at slow pace of construction
uMhlanga lifeguard tower expected to be completed at the end of June.
UMHLANGA ward councillor, Heinz de Boer, has expressed his disappointment about the slow construction of the uMhlanga lifeguard tower, which started in May last year. The R4 million project was started to improve the lifeguard facilities as well as the existing lifeguard tower on the uMhlanga Main Beach, and was meant to have been completed by the end of 2014.
Now, almost six months on, the project is yet to be completed. According to De Boer, construction is expected to finish by the end of June.
When Northglen News last investigated the construction site, we were told a steel strike had caused a delay in the delivery of much-needed materials. There was also a delay in the delivery of the shuttering boards, which are manufactured off site and out of the province.
While De Boer commended the management of the project, he bemoaned the fact that it should have been completed four to five months ago.
“This hasn’t been ideal, and it has been frustrating. I’m very disappointed it has not been completed. uMhlanga beach has now had disruption over Christmas and Easter, which are two of the busiest times of the year.
“This is a much-needed development for the area, especially for the people and for the lifeguards. If the project is not completed by the end of this month, there will be hell to pay and I will be calling for the city to conduct an investigation into the slow construction process,” de Boer said.
What the upgrade involves
According to the municipality’s architecture department, the old tower, which has been demolished was not used to its full potential and was in dire need of an upgrade. 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.,” he said.
Related Articles
Major improvements loom for uMhlanga lifeguard tower
Resident questions ‘slow’ construction
New lifeguard tower gets graffiti makeover
