New precinct to create 1 000 jobs
Ballito developers Bruce and Paul Rencken broke ground at the site of the new Ballito Commercial Precinct, which includes a McDonald's and Virgin Active.
The entrance to Ballito might look dusty and empty now, but in just over a year the redeveloped entrance will be transformed into a retail and commercial hub.
Ground was officially broken at the new Ballito Commercial Precinct on Tuesday. It will start off with the construction of a Virgin Active gym, followed by McDonald’s franchise in March, both of which are set to launch in September 2014.
Local developers Paul and Bruce Rencken and Pietermaritzburg-based developer Rob Alexander are excited at the project’s prospects.
Speaking at the ground breaking ceremony, Rencken said Ballito has been waiting 10 years for four things – the N2 interchange, a public transport facility, Virgin Active and McDonald’s.
“All four are now imminent. The entrance to Ballito has been identified as a key development and we are excited to unlock that potential,” he said.
Site establishment on the Virgin Active will be completed this week and construction should start early next week.
The precinct will incorporate a re-development of the existing Shell Greenfields Service Station and an extension to the Lifestyle Centre, which is currently underway.
The new Ballito taxi rank will be situated between the McDonald’s and the service station. The N2 City, situated on the corner of the precinct adjacent to the N2, will be developed over the next five years. Total value of the precinct will be more than R800 million.
Bruce said they are delighted to finally see action on the site.
“This has been a long road and we are ecstatic at our progress. This will be a project for the community driven by the community.”
Up to 1 000 jobs will be created during the next 12 months of construction, a large portion of which will be permanent.
“Over the past 10 years we have invested about R500 million into KwaDukuza and created around 3 000 jobs. We contribute R5 million in rates per annum and we will continue to contribute with this new addition. Thank you to the municipality for
working with us on this project.”
KwaDukuza mayor Ricardo Mthembu congratulated the developers and thanked them for their patience.
“This is proof that partnerships between government and the private sector can yield outstanding results to uplift the economy. I urge all business people to take their cue from the Renckens in working with government. I am sure all the councillors
will sign up at Virgin Active!”
