New chapter for Tygervalley and Plumstead Libraries

14 Jun 2023 in Where We Govern

The City’s Library and Information Services is pleased to announce that a new lease agreement will ensure that the Tygervalley and Plumstead Libraries continue to provide a service to residents. Council approved the proposal during last month’s meeting. Read more below:

Today, 4 May 2023, the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Energy, Councillor Beverley van Reenen and officials in the Energy Directorate visited the new switching station.

‘The Morgen Gronde electricity switching station in the Brackengate Business Park is a 132kV station and is built in close proximity to the Eskom electricity substation in the area.

‘This R145 million switching station will enable much needed upgrades to the currently constrained networks in the surrounding areas of Bellville and Oakdale. It will assist in enabling reliable supply to residents, businesses and a number of large power users in Brackenfell. Our teams and contractors commenced with construction on site in early 2021 and we are pleased to see this switching station nearing completion.

‘This is an example of the City’s commitment to providing reliable and adequate electricity supply and to investing in the electricity needs of a growing metro. The City will continue to invest in its critical electricity infrastructure that will provide reliable supply and services to residents and businesses across the metro.

‘In February this year, the City launched a R120bn infrastructure portfolio. As part of this portfolio, Cape Town will spend about R1 billion a year on electricity infrastructure between now and 2028. Almost 60% of this outlay is earmarked to expand and strengthen our grid and medium voltage infrastructure.’ said Councillor Van Reenen.

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The new lease agreements will start on 1 July 2023 and will be valid for two years.

During the latter part of 2021, the City took a decision to delimit all external leases due to the Covid-19 pandemic’s significant negative impact on revenue.

Because Tygervalley and Plumstead libraries were located in malls with an external lease each, Council on 15 December 2021 made a decision not to renew the leases of these two libraries.

The decision was reviewed in part due to stakeholder feedback, as well as robust negotiations with the property management teams of both businesses.

The Library and Information Services Department is pleased that patrons will continue to have an uninterrupted service in the two respective areas.

‘Patrons would be glad to know that both libraries will be open for business following a Council decision to enter into new lease agreements. The City’s Libraries and Information Services had various engagements with interested parties following requests to retain the services on offer by the two libraries. While Tygervalley Library is one of the top performing libraries with regards to circulation figures both libraries are important knowledge centres visited frequently by patrons and residents. The decision to enter into a two-year lease agreement is testament to the City’s commitment to service delivery.’ said the Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Patricia van der Ross.

The Plumstead Library in Cecil Road originally opened its doors in 1995 and today has 1 024 patrons. The library is home to more than 28 100 books.  

Tygervalley Library has 4 610 patrons on the books. The library will be 35 years old this year.

Leased properties will not be a basis for the closure of library facilities going forward.

Below the contact detail for the two libraries:

Tygervalley: Lower Level, Tygervalley Centre, Bellville, email: tygervalley.library@capetown.gov.za, tel no: 021 400 3451

Plumstead: The Village Square, Yudelman’s Lane, off Main Road, email: plumstead.library@capetown.gov.za, tel no: 021 814 1231/2

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