South African National Parks (SANParks) confirms that it will commence with the restoration of the Rhodes Memorial Estate gutted by fire in April 2021.
This according to the Table Mountain National Park (TMNP), Park Manager, Megan Taplin who said this announcement follows a rigorous process for an appointment of a suitable architectural service provider with a deep knowledge in heritage building structures. “This establishment which forms an integral part of the TMNP will receive a new leaf of life following the appointment Gabriel Fagan Architects.”
The appointed companies scope of work includes the drawing of plans for the tearoom and associated ablutions, and to consult with Heritage Western Cape for compliance measures.
Taplin said it is important to consider the extent of damage that was caused by the fire and the work that needs to be done. “This necessitate additional funding, which we have fortunately secured from the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) along with the insurance funding which was not sufficient to cater for all the work needed.”
She said once this restoration work is completed, a Request for Proposals (RFP) will be advertised for an operator for the tearoom and associated activities. “This RFP will be issued in line with the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Toolkit for Tourism, and in compliance with the National Treasury Regulations in terms of the Public Finance Management Act, 1999.”
SANParks would like to express gratitude to the public for their patience during this time and to the Friends of Rhodes Memorial for their continuous contribution to the area. “We will continue to keep the public and interested parties informed of new developments and when the construction of the tearoom begins, “concluded Taplin.
