Since the commencement of the Boardwalk expansion we at MyPE have had a number of people raise concerns that the Boardwalk appears to be not meeting their commitments made to the public before the granting of their license.
So off we shuffled to chat with Boardwalk head honcho Clifford Ngakane who was in a meeting or something with Mabutho Zwane from the ECGRB so we got passed on to someone else who knows how to wield a pen.
We also posed the exact same questions to Zwane and cronies at the ECGRB and received deafening silence and NO ACKNOWLEDGEMENT of receipt at all.
After a while the answers to your and our questions came back as follows from the Boardwalk:
Is The Boardwalk meeting its commitment of local job creation during the building phase?
- All detail and progress surrounding The Boardwalk’s bid commitments are very carefully monitored by the Eastern Cape Gambling and Racing Board (ECGRB), as the regulatory authority. The Boardwalk makes regular representation to the Board on its commitments and progress.
A large number of jobs within the banqueting and retail sections have been lost.
- To date, the Chinese and Japanese restaurants at the Oriental Village had to be closed as a result of construction, but this was counterbalanced by the opening of the combined Chinese and Japanese restaurant Yi Pin, in the retail area. The closure of 34 Degrees South was a disappointment to many patrons, but this was a purely business decision on the part of the owners, and not as a result of construction. However, as The Boardwalk’s expansion project unfolds, several new restaurants are being planned and, together with the new multi-purpose conference facility and five star hotel, new employment opportunities will be created.
- The popular Bayside Pantry in the casino complex, which closed for refurbishment in July, is set to re-open shortly and details will be announced in the press. (Editor’s Notes: The Longhair and I have snagged an invite to the opening next week)
Is The Boardwalk meeting its commitments in terms of employment?
- See first question for the response. In addition, the expansion project is a two year process, and at this stage of the project, The Boardwalk is on track in delivering construction related jobs. When the completed property is fully opened in December 2012, the expansion will open up new employment opportunities in various fields in the hospitality, casino, retail, conferencing and entertainment areas. The knock-on effect from increased tourism is also expected to affect job creation among other businesses in Port Elizabeth.
How many contractors are from out of town?
- Of the 19 contractors who have been appointed to date, 10 are locally based and a further four are in joint ventures with local based contractors
How many contract workers are from the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro?
- Currently there are over 600 contract workers on site, including management. Indications are that the total number of workers in the construction team will reach up to 1,200.
Does this meet the commitments made in the bid?
- See first question for the response – all commitments are strictly monitored by the Eastern Cape Gambling and Racing Board (ECGRB).
Is The Boardwalk meeting its commitment of using local suppliers?
- Regular contractor prequalification adverts have, and will continue to appear in the local press over the coming months. Additional opportunities will include services such as security and cleaning.
The Boardwalk committed to supporting a number of festivals and events. To date it has not supported the Algoa Sailing Week, the Viva Africa Festival, the CANSA Big Walk, and has downscaled its birthday month celebrations.
- The Boardwalk’s birthday in October was not downscaled and was extended to include November too. Events at the complex included shows by Lira, Zahara, David Fourie, Miss Bayfm, KB, Nadine, Mike Naicker and Freshlyground. It also included special promotions in the casino as well as special screenings and entertainment around the 2011 Rugby World Cup and Heritage Day.
- The commitment made by The Boardwalk to support various festivals and events spans a 15-year period. Once our new facilities are in place, we will invite interested parties to submit proposals.
- Our two-year commitment to sponsor the CANSA Big Walk ended in 2010, but we will still participate in the walk. Our ongoing construction project meant we couldn’t provide a venue for the Iron Man contest this year but, as outlined in the bid document, we did support the local Splash festival.
- Proposals for other events listed in the bid document have not yet been submitted to The Boardwalk.
- Other local events supported by The Boardwalk this year include the EP Kings, Mr PE, Miss PE and the Chevrolet Warriors.
Ectour – a commitment to tourism development in province appears defunct. What is being done to revive it, and how are the funds being spent?
- Far from being defunct, the Ectour Board is in place and meets monthly. An advert was placed in local media last month inviting applications for a fulltime PR officer. This person will be responsible for communicating Ectour activities.
For answering our questions we allow the Boardwalk to give themselves a punt here:
The Boardwalk – tourism potential
The Boardwalk’s prime location and unique combination of casino games, entertainment, restaurants and shopping options, have made the complex one of the most visited attractions in the city, second only to the beaches. Since opening its doors in 2000 The Boardwalk has attracted more than 30 million visitors.
When the expansion project is complete by December 2012, it is anticipated that many out-of-town locals and foreign visitors will be attracted to the city. The increased capacity of the new Conference Centre, backed up by the luxurious new 5-star Boardwalk Hotel with 140 keys, will meet the demands of even the most discerning international visitors.
Despite the size limitations of the old conference centre The Boardwalk nevertheless hosted more than 3 000 conferences and 500 000 delegates during the past 10 years. The new multi-purpose international-standard Conference Centre will have capacity for 1 800 delegates and will incorporate the latest trends, increasing Port Elizabeth’s attractiveness as a business destination.
As part of the Sun International group, The Boardwalk is also well aware of the profound impact big events and shows can have on a local economy. They attract new markets and a knock-on effect for a range of local businesses as was evident from the recent FIFA Soccer World Cup.
Although The Boardwalk has hosted many quality shows and popular performers to date, a lack of capacity hampered efforts to draw larger shows which act as a catalyst for increased tourism. But the new multi-purpose conference facility meets the requirements of major international bands and other acts, allowing Port Elizabeth the opportunity to become part of Sun International’s touring circuit for major acts.
The Boardwalk’s casino is also being upgraded, and will feature separate smoking and non-smoking casinos and salons privé, plus a refurbished restaurant and pub facilities inside the casino complex. The latest international technology in slot machines and popular table games will also be introduced to the complex.
The retail area is also being enlarged, and will house and even wider variety of restaurants catering for all tastes, plus a range of shopping options. When it is opened in December 2012, the planned R35-million musical water extravaganza in the lake surrounding the retail area will be one of the largest in the southern hemisphere.
To ensure secure parking and easy access for all visitors, a new underground parking garage will offer over 850 bays, bringing the full parking capacity at the complex to over 2 000.
Alan Straton
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I have to confess to a personal interest here: As a member of the Yacht Club I was delighted that we were included in the bid document and earmarked for support from the Boardwalk in the form of sponsorship of Algoa Bay Week.
That support appears to still be planned BUT I am sure that other persons / stakeholders who may also be expecting support would appreciate a phone call or note explaining the situation better – rather than reading about plans here on MyPE.
As it is the delay from the Boardwalk has allowed me to float a number of exciting sailing regatta ideas and plans which may now turn out to be even better for the Boardwalk from a media exposure point of view.