River Park’s R30-million large steel dome upgrade will soon change the East London skyline.
Last year, the mega church announced they would be giving their building a much-needed facelift.
River Park media director Waldo Malan said about 30% of the old roof had been dismantled and new steel beams for the dome can be seen protruding above the existing roof.
“The main structural beams are roughly 60% complete. Thereafter it is just the cladding to be completed. The contractors have given us the assurance that by April the roof will be complete,” said Malan.
The upgrade project started last year, with the cost initially estimated at R15-million. However, that cost has since doubled.
The church started raising funds for the renovations in 2014 during their Get Ready Conference, which hosted international evangelist Benny Hinn.
Members of the congregation and television viewers were urged to donate towards the project. Some of the reasons behind the upgrade were that the roof was leaky and a health hazard since it was made of asbestos and glass portions were breaking.
To date, the church has managed to raise R27.5-million towards the project. Malan said things were going according to plan.
“We are confident that the R2.5-million will come and our constructors will be paid on time,” he said.
The road to the new dome has not been without challenges. Malan said before the new steel roof could be bolted into place, it was necessary to remove all wood floors and put in reinforced concrete.
“Another big challenge the construction crew faced was the removal of the old roof, still in its characteristic zigzag factory profiles,” he said.
Malan said once completed the new studio would be able to record and host anything from conferencing, talk shows, live music events and, when needed, sports events.
He said when the new dome was completed they were expecting an influx of visitors to the city.
“The new television studio facilities that will be occupied by Faith Broadcasting Network will see an influx of visitors to East London when live broadcasts are aired from here,” he said.
Once completed, Malan said the large steel dome roof would tower above the harbour and be an iconic landmark to identify River Park.
Malan said some of their future projects included finishing the broadcast studio facilities.
“The main studio as well as some smaller studios will be used for local television productions. There has already been an interest shown by local film makers to make use of the studio facilities for some set productions,” he said.
Dome upgrade for River Park
Last year, the mega church announced they would be giving their building a much-needed facelift.
River Park media director Waldo Malan said about 30% of the old roof had been dismantled and new steel beams for the dome can be seen protruding above the existing roof.
“The main structural beams are roughly 60% complete. Thereafter it is just the cladding to be completed. The contractors have given us the assurance that by April the roof will be complete,” said Malan.
The upgrade project started last year, with the cost initially estimated at R15-million. However, that cost has since doubled.
The church started raising funds for the renovations in 2014 during their Get Ready Conference, which hosted international evangelist Benny Hinn.
Members of the congregation and television viewers were urged to donate towards the project. Some of the reasons behind the upgrade were that the roof was leaky and a health hazard since it was made of asbestos and glass portions were breaking.
To date, the church has managed to raise R27.5-million towards the project. Malan said things were going according to plan.
“We are confident that the R2.5-million will come and our constructors will be paid on time,” he said.
The road to the new dome has not been without challenges. Malan said before the new steel roof could be bolted into place, it was necessary to remove all wood floors and put in reinforced concrete.
“Another big challenge the construction crew faced was the removal of the old roof, still in its characteristic zigzag factory profiles,” he said.
Malan said once completed the new studio would be able to record and host anything from conferencing, talk shows, live music events and, when needed, sports events.
He said when the new dome was completed they were expecting an influx of visitors to the city.
“The new television studio facilities that will be occupied by Faith Broadcasting Network will see an influx of visitors to East London when live broadcasts are aired from here,” he said.
Once completed, Malan said the large steel dome roof would tower above the harbour and be an iconic landmark to identify River Park.
Malan said some of their future projects included finishing the broadcast studio facilities.
“The main studio as well as some smaller studios will be used for local television productions. There has already been an interest shown by local film makers to make use of the studio facilities for some set productions,” he said.
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