A concerned resident is seeking answers from the City of Cape Town regarding the future of the old Parkwood Community Hall, in the hopes an upgraded facility will benefit and empower the youth of the area and provide opportunities for the unemployed.

People’s Post received a letter from a resident, Keith Blake, on Sunday 13 September detailing his concerns about the facility, that it had become dilapidated and was in a state of decay since it was reportedly vandalised in 2017.

Once a vibrant hub

Nine years later, plans for the facility, located on the corner of Blackbird Avenue and Walmer Road in Parkwood, have remained a mystery according to Blake.

In his letter he highlighted that the civic centre was once a vibrant hub of community empowerment and essential services.

“This building in its heyday and glory was a vital community service provider for the people of Parkwood, which amounted to many thousands of mostly poor struggling residents in relation to having a City housing office that was within easy transport for especially the elderly, disabled and the financially challenged, it was just around the corner.

“Many senior clubs used to use this civic for their meetings and events,” he recalled.

“Community meetings and events for both young and old were entertained in this safe secure decent community building.”

Plans underway

Blake said among the major issues he was tackling were the reported promises by the City that it would ensure the rebuild and restoration and rehabilitation would take place.

“Nine years, and let me just repeat that, nine years, and nothing, absolutely nothing was done, endeavoured or committed by the City of Cape Town to execute their promises to restore this building. It’s become [no more than] an ugly, dilapidated sight.”

The City confirmed plans were underway for a new facility.

The former Parkwood Community Hall was extensively damaged during protest action in 2018, with vandalism and a fire resulting in the complete destruction of the facility. In response, the City has initiated planning for a replacement facility to serve the community.

The Parkwood Community Hall project is currently in the early planning stage.

The site assessment has been completed and is being used to guide discussions with external stakeholders, according to the City’s Recreation and Parks Department.

“The planning process, including the required legal and regulatory approvals, is expected to take an extended period before construction can begin,” the City said.

“Furthermore, an approved insurance-funded budget is also in place for the project. The budget and project timeline will be reviewed and updated as the project progresses through the required approval stages.”

However, Ward 72 councillor Kevin Southgate disagreed that the facility had become dilapidated.

“It was burnt down by the community a few years ago. The City is in the process of building a new community centre.”

The payout from the original insurance claim for the building was by far not enough to rebuild the centre, he added.

“Sub-council 18 and the ward councillor have been agitating for years to have the centre rebuilt.” A new erf has been identified and a budget has been allocated for the first phase. As the sub-council we are committed to ensuring the new community centre is built for the residents of Parkwood.”

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