Construction of Sir Lowry's Pass school on hold

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25-01-2024
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News 24
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The new high school under construction in Sir Lowry’s Pass is at a standstill appearing abandoned and deserted as it has been for the past seven months after the contractor was dismissed.

Work to the R87,6 million school, which is expected to accommodate 1 100 learners, was originally set for completion by December 2023, but with no date on the resumption of the construction there is currently no rescheduled date of completion.

Providing some clarity on the matter, Western Cape Education Department (WCED) Communications Director Bronagh Hammond said the project is being implemented by Department of Infrastructure (DOI) on behalf of the WCED. “Due to continued non-performance by the appointed contractor, DOI terminated the contract in July 2023, after which no construction work has taken place due to the legal challenge.

“The current overall financial allocation towards the project still needs to be determined as a new contractor is awarded the contract after the procurement process is concluded.”

She added that the date on which the project is anticipated to reach contractual completion is unknown at present as result of the contract awarded being terminated.

“The contractor to whom the contract was awarded is disputing termination and has initiated legal proceedings to challenge the decision. Only once the current dispute or legal challenge is resolved and a Completion Contract is awarded will it be possible to determine a future anticipated contractual completion date.”

Workers at the site previously complained about not receiving pay and monies being owed to them, no water being on site, issues with the CLO and the contractor (“Sir Lowry’s Pass school build at standstill”, DistrictMail & Helderberg Gazette, 30 November 2022.

According to Hammond those issues were resolved and unrelated to the current situation.

“The DOI and WCED wanted to and hope for the completion of the project as soon as practically possible,” Hammond said. “We have had to accommodate learners elsewhere, such as at Sir Lowry’s Pass Primary School in mobile classrooms, as an interim arrangement. Ideally, we would like to have the school completed and expand enrolment.”

The new school accommodation comprises 30 standard classrooms and five specialist (science laboratories, computer room, multi-purpose- and multi-media classroom) classrooms, administration, ablutions, a hall and a sports field.