Cherri Catering Hire
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CONTACT: Tel/Fax 021 785 7216 email: cherrich@telkomsa.net
www.cherricateringhire.weebly.com
E-mail: post@peoplespost.co.za
Tuesday 5 April 2011
Tel: 021 713 9440 Fax: 021 713 9481
Muizenberg’s ‘white elephant’ The Muizenberg Pavilion is ‘not being used to its full potential’ DALEEN FOUCHÉ
MUIZENBERG’S beachfront Pavilion has come in for criticism over its outer appearance and council has been accused of neglecting it as an asset. From afar, the building appears neat and in good order, but a closer inspection reveals that some parts are rusty or are rotting because of damp. But South Peninsula Subcouncil chairperson Demetri Qually, who admits that the building needs work, insists that it is not because of neglect that the building looks this way. He says the building faces the constant onslaught of the southeaster wind and its salty content, which “attacks” all the metal parts of the building. Torrential rains and weather conditions on the beachfront add to the quick deterioration of the building. Qually says council has, in the past two years, painted the building three times, with the latest paint job having been done only three months ago. “Before, the building looked bad, but council repainted the entire building and the roof.” He adds that the contractor has tried three different products on the steel fittings to combat the rust, but all have proven ineffective. “The only solution is to replace the steel railings with non-rustable material.” Qually says the contractor is currently looking at sample material made from polywood (recycled plastic), which will replace the steel fittings. “This can only be done in the new financial year,” he says. “Council has spent a lot of money on this building and it receives frequent attention.” Peter Wright, portfolio manager of the Muizenberg beachfront and park for the Muizenberg Improvement District (MID), acknowledges the effort that council has put into the outside of the building. He says
the exterior of the building is “looking good”. Wright adds that some council officials are working very hard towards the upkeep of the building. But Wright says the Pavilion hall needs attention. He says the hall is not being managed well, adding that several kitchen and light fittings are not working. Wright believes that the reason the hall is not being “used to its full potential” is because it is not up to standard. “The hall was built as a multipurpose hall which can host events from boxing matches to orchestra performances.” The Pavilion has also been labelled a “white elephant” by the False Bay Tourism and Business Association (FBTBA). The Pavilion was built in 1981 and can accommodate restaurants, but is currently occupied only by officials from the City of Cape Town. Gerald Musikanth, chairperson of the FBTBA, told People’s Post that in Muizenberg’s heyday, the Pavilion boasted a Milky Lane and other attractions for tourists and holidaymakers. But Musikanth says when Muizenberg’s economy “went downhill” the Pavilion followed suit. The once-popular Mike’s Kitchen moved out of the premises, and the building itself began showing signs of neglect. “But now that Muizenberg is experiencing a revival, the Pavilion should be used as it was originally intended.” Musikanth says the Pavilion, which was built on a “prime spot”, is currently an “empty shell”. He says that even though events are still being held in the Pavilion hall, the process of booking the hall is made “strenuous” by council. “To book the hall, one needs to go to Plumstead,” he says. People who wish to use the hall for events must supply mostly their own equipment. Qually admits that there are “maintenance issues” which need
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to be addressed, but adds that the hall is still in regular use. He says the hall is equipped with a kitchen, but says the design of the building is not “ideal” for hosting events. Qually, however, agrees with Musikanth that the building is not being used to its full potential. But making the building reach its potential requires “time, money and vision”. Because the building is situated on the beachfront, renovations would require an extensive Environmental Impact Assessment. Qually says the City’s new Draft Coastal Protection Zone Management Bylaw (“Bylaw to protect the coastline welcomed”, People’s Post, 8 February), which aims to protect the coast, will also have an impact on possible new renovations, because the bylaw does not allow further development on the shore-line. He says investors have shown interest in the Pavilion over the years, but adds that it would take a determined investor to take on this project. Qually says after several attempts to have a restaurant at the Pavilion failed, the City decided to move council offices into the building. He says there is no reason why council offices cannot be moved to another location, once a new proposal for the Pavilion is approved. Proportional representation councillor, Dave D’Alton, who is also a Muizenberg resident, says previous restaurants at the Pavilion did not draw enough customers, but says if the Muizenberg revival continues and strengthens, a new restaurant might work. He agrees that there is definite potential use for the Pavilion. Mike Walker, a St James resident and historian, says before this Pavilion, there were two other Pavilions on the same spot. He says the first was built out of timber in 1911 and boasted a tearoom and bathing facilities. The building had to be de-
TAINTED: The rust from railings on the Pavilion’s first floor is dripping down the wall, creating brown stains on the building. Photos: Clifford Wyeth
FALLING APART:The gutter is tearing away from the roof.
RUSTY: The steel fittings on the building are rusty. molished because of rot. The second Pavilion, designed by William Grant, was built in 1928. This Pavilion featured a restaurant and theatre. “It was built in a beautiful Mediterranean style,” says Walker.
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This Pavilion was also demolished, after the concrete started to break off. The site stood empty for 11 years before the City built the current Pavilion in a standard design used for all pavilions in the city.
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