AMONG the contracts keeping Grinaker-LTA busy in the Cape are two hospital projects that, on completion, will provide a new, much-needed hospital in Mitchell’s Plain and new nurses’ accommodation at the Cecilia Makiwane Hospital in the Eastern Cape.

The contractor reports that its R394 million contract for the construction of the new Mitchell’s Plain Hospital is well under way and progressing according to the construction programme. To date the perimeter fence has been completed and handed over to the client, the Department of Transport and Public Works. This was a pre-requisite prior to any construction commencing. Grinaker-LTA’s Mark Belman explains: “This fence cordons off the highly sensitive environmental areas of the site and provides protection to all the flora and fauna found in the nature conservation area.

“On the construction side the piling has been completed and the pile caps, bases and footings are underway. Fortunately the relatively dry winter we experienced in the Cape allowed for the work to progress at a steady pace without any major interruptions or delays,” Belman remarks. “The columns and concrete cores have also started and the first decks are currently being cast. The foundation brickwork has commenced on a small scale but this will increase substantially in the near future with over four million bricks still to be laid.”

Belman notes that Grinaker-LTA and the procurement committee are ensuring that local labour, material suppliers and subcontractors are being utilised wherever possible, and his team is keeping this process transparent, and appointing capable people and businesses to carry out quality work within the specified time frames.

On-site training is also being undertaken by Grinaker-LTA, and an HIV/AIDS awareness programme has been running since the start of the project. The training includes the ongoing mentoring of local bricklayers, carpenters, steel-fixers and other artisans. “Grinaker-LTA is also working closely with the local community to achieve various BBBEE, poverty alleviation and training targets set out in the contract,” Belman adds. “We look forward to the completion of this project and are proud to be part of producing a much- needed facility for the communities of Mitchell’s Plain and Philippi.”

Grinaker-LTA’s other hospital project is in the Eastern Cape and situated in the heart of Mdantsane, where the contractor and its joint venture partners, Imonti Consortium and EastCorp Construction, are building new residential units at Cecilia Makiwane Hospital, for client, the Coega Development Corporation. These are for the planned Lilitha Nursing College which is part of the overall multi-phased hospital development plan.

Grinaker-LTA’s Leon Petrie reports: “We have 12 months to build 12 two and three-storey nurses’ residence units - a total of 60 flats with 300 bedrooms. In addition to this, Grinaker-LTA is building the matron’s house and guard house.”