A plan to renovate the old Eersterus community hall has hit snags, with controversy over its ownership.
Rekord previously reported that the aim of the renovation plan was to turn the building into a museum to revive the past of the community.
Project leader Audy Hendricks said they had the Tshwane metro’s full blessing.
But, ward councillor Benjamin Lawrence disputed this.
Lawrence said the building on the corner of St Joseph Avenue and Hans Coverdale Street still belonged to the metro.
“Many people have applied for ownership of the building, but none has yet been approved,” he said.
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“I urge residents who have plans for the building to see them through – as long as they follow the correct procedures,” Lawrence said.
“Also, make sure that the community supports your ideas.”
Lawrence said although he would be able to support potential buyers, the decision did not lie with him.
“The metro owns the building and only they can make the decision,” he said.
Rekord previously reported that the building – a community hall – was one of the oldest in Eersterust from the 1960s.
For about 10 to 20 years it fell into disrepair, with no one taking any responsibility for it.
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Lawrence said there were complications with the lease agreement and the building was left standing empty.
Over time, homeless people and drug abusers made it their home.
Hendrick previously told Rekord: “Currently this hall is the only heritage site we have in our community; if we allow it to be demolished, our history goes down with it.
“Why is the hall important to us? For many decades it was a place of safety in times of disaster; a place of entertainment; a place for skills development and training; a place of arts and culture; and a place of religious activities.”
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