Isipingo Beach, which was wrecked four years ago by a massive storm, has finally been given a facelift.
Waves that battered the eastern shoreline left the infrastructure in the area in pieces – but there are mixed reactions to the long-awaited revamp.
Christo Swart, deputy head of parks, leisure and cemeteries, said the repair work would be completed around the end of the month.
Where the old lifesaving club existed, a viewing deck has been created.
“A general upgrade of the area was undertaken, including the car park and the ablution facilities. Facilities for the lifeguards and council staff will be provided at the old Ski Boat Club,” said Swart.
He said rather than repair the extensive damage done four years ago, the municipality decided to investigate options less likely to face similar devastation in the future.
“The project is nearly completed with much improved facilities from what previously existed,” said Swart.
He stressed, however, that Rivermouth was no longer a swimming area and that the new swimming area would now be located further north in front of the Reunion Park Recreation Facility.
“Upgrades and repairs to the old Ski Boat Clubhouse will commence in due course and the lifeguard facilities will be located there,” he said.
Lifeguards were already on duty in this area and bathers were asked to swim there.
But Isipingo Ratepayers Association chairman Dharmanand Nowbuth said that while the revamp was long overdue and he was relieved the construction was over, he was concerned about where people were allowed to swim. He said the community had not been consulted.
Local councillor Sunil Kalicharan described the new-look beach as “one of a kind”.
“The facilities have changed from what it used to be, with a new amphitheatre-type look,” he said.
Kalicharan said a R4 million aquatic centre for education and environmental awareness was also planned for Reunion Park. A seating area below the viewing deck could accommodate about 250 people.
A community day has been planned to celebrate the re-opening on October 22.
Inter-faith prayers, water-safety awareness, music, beach volleyball and soccer, as well as an angling competition, are planned for the day. - The Independent on Saturday