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21 June 2024
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Sea Point Fire Station receives R10m renovation, Cape Town
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The Fire Station in Sea Point in Cape Town, which is a heritage site, is undergoing a R10 million renovation and officials have confirmed the much-anticipated Sea Point Promenade and Granger Bay Parking area upgrade of R41 million, which was brought to a halt, will continue with the assignment of a new contractor. The Sea Point Fire Station began operations in 1932 and despite the changes around it, the building still stands tall, albeit only two storeys high. Senior Firefighter Kevin September is the station’s longest-serving firefighter, having been there since 2000 and now in his 40th year of service.
“We are all happy that the changes are being made inside and outside, it’s an old building but it has heritage value so you can’t just build or replace anything,” said September. “The contractors are not replacing anything, as you can see they are refurbishing the doors, the walls, the floors, everything. Everything in this building is original, there have been a few changes here and there but not much. There was a payphone in the building but that was taken out years ago,” he said.
The famous pole slide, which firefighters used in an emergency, is no longer part of the fire station since it constituted a safety risk. “It happened that firefighters slide down this pole when they are wet, this is after jumping out of a shower. We have two minutes to get going from the time that the alarm goes off so it’s a rush, and some guys have hurt their ankles so the pole hole is no longer in use, I can’t recall when it was stopped,” September said.
Aside from the firefighters’ bedrooms, there is a dining room, a television room, a laundry facility, a gym room with a pool table and a large balcony which no longer has a view of the mountain. “We have three platoons and platoon one is here today, that’s five fighters that will be on duty for 24 hours. There is enough space for us all to work and not interrupt the contractors. This station is comfortable for all of us that work here,” he said.
“From this balcony we could see the mountain and we could see the fire or smoke from here and we would respond before we even got the call. In the summer time the mountain fires keep us busy but we do respond to emergencies in informal settlements, so we have to always be ready.”
Station Commander Kevin Manuel is also pleased that the refurbishing has started and added that the design of the building is similar to a ship. “There is a window that is similar to what ships have and if you look at the shape of the building you can see that it resembles a ship. The doors of the dining hall were damaged during the storms last year. We were out on a call when that happened as during that time there were quite a few emergencies. So these doors will be refurbished and put back on, and other work too so we are pleased with these changes,” said Manuel.
Both firefighters said that members of the public are welcome to visit the fire station as it is open to the public. “We often see people walking past and looking at the building, they are wondering if they can come in and we do invite them to check out the fire station. So people must know that we are here and that they are welcome to check out the station and meet the firefighters,” said September.
Alderman JP Smith, Safety and Security Mayco member, said operations at the Sea Point Fire Station located between Regent and Kloof Street would not be affected as there would not be major changes made to the building itself but maintenance instead.
The building, which is decades old, was given the thumbs up and given a permit from Heritage Western Cape and a permit was granted for works from electrical and plumbing to damage ceiling repairs. “The project will run over two financial years with Phase 1 commencing this financial year,” Alderman Smith explained.
“The work entails external painting and roof repairs due to significant water damage as well as internal upgrades and painting, attendance to structural damage such as concrete spalling. Mechanical and electrical compliance is in the process of being scoped so that those phases can be executed in the new financial year. The operations of the Fire Station will not be impacted”, he added.
Ward councillor, Nicola Jowell, said it was a significant moment for residents and for infrastructure to see a much-needed renovation come into being with a budget of R10m. “The Sea Point Fire Station is a historic building in the centre of Sea Point, it is the landmark between the Main Road, Regent and Kloof Road,” she added. “It has been used as a fire station for many decades. It has become in need of renovations to bring it back to life again. The current budget is R10m to restore not only the outside but also the inside such as electrical to plumbing as well as new roofs, gutters and a new coat of paint. The contractor has started on site with the exterior works to the building all under the watchful eye of the City’s heritage consultants as well as permit provided by Heritage Western Cape because it is a heritage building. This process is anticipated to go for five to six months before it is completed.”
“Fire stations are a beacon of safety and security in our communities. The residents feel a connection not only to the fire women and men but the building as well, and to see it upgraded is a relief and the community has responded with enthusiasm to see this project finally getting under way”, she explained.
Source: Weekend Argus, Atlantic Sun
“We are all happy that the changes are being made inside and outside, it’s an old building but it has heritage value so you can’t just build or replace anything,” said September. “The contractors are not replacing anything, as you can see they are refurbishing the doors, the walls, the floors, everything. Everything in this building is original, there have been a few changes here and there but not much. There was a payphone in the building but that was taken out years ago,” he said.
The famous pole slide, which firefighters used in an emergency, is no longer part of the fire station since it constituted a safety risk. “It happened that firefighters slide down this pole when they are wet, this is after jumping out of a shower. We have two minutes to get going from the time that the alarm goes off so it’s a rush, and some guys have hurt their ankles so the pole hole is no longer in use, I can’t recall when it was stopped,” September said.
Aside from the firefighters’ bedrooms, there is a dining room, a television room, a laundry facility, a gym room with a pool table and a large balcony which no longer has a view of the mountain. “We have three platoons and platoon one is here today, that’s five fighters that will be on duty for 24 hours. There is enough space for us all to work and not interrupt the contractors. This station is comfortable for all of us that work here,” he said.
“From this balcony we could see the mountain and we could see the fire or smoke from here and we would respond before we even got the call. In the summer time the mountain fires keep us busy but we do respond to emergencies in informal settlements, so we have to always be ready.”
Station Commander Kevin Manuel is also pleased that the refurbishing has started and added that the design of the building is similar to a ship. “There is a window that is similar to what ships have and if you look at the shape of the building you can see that it resembles a ship. The doors of the dining hall were damaged during the storms last year. We were out on a call when that happened as during that time there were quite a few emergencies. So these doors will be refurbished and put back on, and other work too so we are pleased with these changes,” said Manuel.
Both firefighters said that members of the public are welcome to visit the fire station as it is open to the public. “We often see people walking past and looking at the building, they are wondering if they can come in and we do invite them to check out the fire station. So people must know that we are here and that they are welcome to check out the station and meet the firefighters,” said September.
Alderman JP Smith, Safety and Security Mayco member, said operations at the Sea Point Fire Station located between Regent and Kloof Street would not be affected as there would not be major changes made to the building itself but maintenance instead.
The building, which is decades old, was given the thumbs up and given a permit from Heritage Western Cape and a permit was granted for works from electrical and plumbing to damage ceiling repairs. “The project will run over two financial years with Phase 1 commencing this financial year,” Alderman Smith explained.
“The work entails external painting and roof repairs due to significant water damage as well as internal upgrades and painting, attendance to structural damage such as concrete spalling. Mechanical and electrical compliance is in the process of being scoped so that those phases can be executed in the new financial year. The operations of the Fire Station will not be impacted”, he added.
Ward councillor, Nicola Jowell, said it was a significant moment for residents and for infrastructure to see a much-needed renovation come into being with a budget of R10m. “The Sea Point Fire Station is a historic building in the centre of Sea Point, it is the landmark between the Main Road, Regent and Kloof Road,” she added. “It has been used as a fire station for many decades. It has become in need of renovations to bring it back to life again. The current budget is R10m to restore not only the outside but also the inside such as electrical to plumbing as well as new roofs, gutters and a new coat of paint. The contractor has started on site with the exterior works to the building all under the watchful eye of the City’s heritage consultants as well as permit provided by Heritage Western Cape because it is a heritage building. This process is anticipated to go for five to six months before it is completed.”
“Fire stations are a beacon of safety and security in our communities. The residents feel a connection not only to the fire women and men but the building as well, and to see it upgraded is a relief and the community has responded with enthusiasm to see this project finally getting under way”, she explained.
Source: Weekend Argus, Atlantic Sun