No funds in Tshwane purse to renovate 65-year-old north hall

The Tshwane plan to renovate the Pretoria North hall in the north of Pretoria has hit a snag due to insufficient funds.

The historic Club Rendezvous Hall was left to deteriorate for more than seven years without much maintenance.

The facility became an occupational health and safety risk and was forced to close in August last year after more than 65 years of use.

According to metro spokesperson Lindela Mashigo, the current budget allocation is very limited and does not include some of the key priorities, which include the community hall.

“Currently, there is no revenue being generated from the Pretoria North community hall because of its closure.

The metro is looking into other service delivery interventions to address service delivery challenges, which include the community hall,” said Mashigo.

The facility, which was a beacon of hope in the north of Pretoria, used to offer the community entertainment and sporting activities.

Mashigo said community members who have been utilising the facility were informed of its hazardous state.

“Members of the community were advised to seek alternative facilities for their activities since there are no alternative municipal-owned facilities within the immediate vicinity for referrals,” said Mashigo.

The facility has been flagged for the following occupational health and safety risks:

– the fire safety equipment has expired and needs to be serviced.

– doors are broken and unable to provide emergency exit; there are no emergency exit signs at the facility.

– the wooden floors are not fire-proof and have thinned and developed holes due to lack of maintenance.

– the roof has a major leak and rotten wooden beams.

– pigeons are nesting in the ceiling due to an open clock tower, there are no facia boards therefore bird droppings fall into the facility.

The closure of the facility raised safety concerns in the community.

Resident Jimmy Stan said the metro should’ve fixed the hall a long time ago.

“Instead it keeps saying there’s no budget as an excuse.

“That hall is a community hub. That’s what we used to call a safe space for residents.

We used to gather in this place any day of the week to celebrate whatever achievement one of us has acquired, but now we have nowhere to meet. It is painful [to see],” said Stan.

“Tshwane must make a plan and renovate the hall because it is a legacy for the upcoming generation of Pretoria North,” he added.

Another resident, Quinton Meyer, said the community recently devised a plan to close the toilets at the hall because some people used to sleep therein.

“The hall has been a part of the history of Pretoria North. I’ve known the hall since I was a little kid.

Without it, it is hard for the community to connect,” said Meyer.

Meyer said it was sad to see the hall in its current condition.

“The community came up with a plan to close the toilets because homeless people were living there. That created danger for people living around the hall.

Let’s take better care of our facilities as they are part of history and of important value for us,” he said.

The metro said it strived to regain its financial stability by recouping all monies owed, so that budgets can be aligned to service delivery requirements.

“The metro is in the process of regaining financial stability.

Once this goal is realised, several key capital projects will be prioritised and the renovation of the hall will be included on the list,” Mashigo said.

“However, the metro has partnered with several businesses and organised community associations through the community upliftment programme, which has the potential to restore the hall to its former glory,” he concluded.

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