Uphill battle maintaining halls

COMMUNITY halls have now come under the spotlight after complaints about the ‘shocking state’ of those in Uvongo and Margate in particular.

Non-profit organisations in particular have complained that they had to pay thousands to rent these facilities for events. However, increasing their costs even further was that they had to fork out money for draping and lights to hide dirty and chipped walls.

“The Hibiscus Coast Municipality has an allocated budget for the maintenance of the halls,” said one resident. “One would think they would at least use the money to spruce them up.”

* At the Uvongo Town Hall, residents and event planners complained they had to deal with the stench of piles of rubbish surrounding the building. An inspection showed that floors are dirty and appear not to have been cleaned for a while. Guests are greeted with a pavement and tiles that are chipped and broken.

“We paid our hard earned cash, but when we got to the hall there was no toilet paper supplied,” said a spokesman for one organisation.

“The toilet facilities were not in a good state and there was no PA system. What are we paying for?”

* Margate Town Hall is no better. The roof has missing tiles, some parts are broken, including the blinds. Guests are also greeted by ugly floor tiles at the entrance. Cans of alcohol and trash were heaped at the side of the hall.The fire extinguishers on the walls appeared to be rusty and old.

* The Port Shepstone Civic Centre is by far the cleanest of the halls. The toilets have been refurbished with new basins and newly painted walls. Toilet rolls were supplied. The hall was clean with new plastic chairs. However, litter at the back of the hall showed that some used this as a dumping ground.

Hibiscus Coast Municipality spokesman Simon April said that the Uvongo Town Hall was used for a choral musical festival from last Thursday to Saturday with primary and secondary schools from both Ugu and Harry Gwala Districts participating.

There were more than 1 000 pupils a day attending.

“We made arrangements with our Depot 3 and Waste Minimisation Section to help clean outside. However, due the function running until late on the weekend, some litter was only cleaned on Sunday by the contractors.”

He disputed claims that toilet paper was not supplied.

“There was sufficient toilet paper in the hall. However, as fast as the caretaker could replace it, it would be used.

“The Swiss parquet floor tiles at one section of the hall are loose and have been reported to the maintenance section.

“There is a programme to have them fixed accordingly.”

Mr April said that with the large volume of pupils and only one caretaker on duty, the toilets were bound to suffer. But he assured they were cleaned at regular intervals, during, before and after every function.

It was just bad timing that people had arrived at the hall when it was in a bad state.

“The PA system and lighting equipment were stolen and police are investigating. All house lights in the hall are working. The other repair and maintenance tasks are part of the broader programme by our Repairs and Maintenance Section to repair municipal buildings including all halls.”

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