Residents question delays at Monte Vista upgrade
Advertising
21-11-2025
Read : 19 times
Northern Natal News
Source
Residents have voiced concern as prolonged construction keeps the Monte Vista facility closed.
Nearly two years after work began on the R160-million upgrade of the old Monte Vista sports facility, frustrated residents are still asking when the project will be completed.
A resident, who asked to remain anonymous for fear of intimidation, said the prolonged renovations have left locals disillusioned.
“This facility should have been operational by now, with residents enjoying the amenities it promised. Instead, it is still a construction site that looks more neglected than ever. You see vehicles and workers there daily, yet nothing seems close to completion. What is going on, and why is it taking so long?” he asked.
The Advertiser previously reported on the launch of the multimillion-rand initiative to transform the former Monte Vista Casino into a modern sports and wellness hub.
However, since the last update in March 2024, visible progress has been minimal.
In an effort to keep readers informed, the Advertiser approached the municipality for clarity on the project’s status.
Municipal spokesperson Mthandeni Myende confirmed that Phase 1B of the construction is now 60% complete, meaning more than half of the planned work for this stage has been finalised.
According to Myende, the project has experienced several setbacks, mainly due to adverse weather conditions and cash-flow difficulties faced by the principal contractor.
“Both factors have had a tangible effect on the anticipated completion timeline. As part of a remedial measure, the contractor has since submitted a recovery plan,” he said.
Originally scheduled for completion on 23 June 2025, the project’s expected finish date has now been extended to 13 December 2025.
“Given the ongoing and sequential nature of the various construction phases, the local community is unable to access or utilise the facility at this stage,” Myende explained.
He added that the municipality, together with its consulting engineers, continues to work closely with the contractor, holding weekly progress meetings every Thursday.
“The aim is to provide the necessary support to ensure that the project is completed as efficiently as possible,” he concluded.
Recent News
Here are recent news articles from the Building and Construction Industry.
Have you signed up for your free copy yet?
