The Cape Town Film Studios project has met critical mid-year deadlines with the awarding of three tenders relating to the upgrading of the R310 highway, bulk infrastructure and the construction of the studio buildings themselves.
“We are very pleased to announce that the tender process has started in earnest, and that three important tenders have already been awarded,’ says Anant Singh, chairperson of Cape Town Film Studios. The first tender to be announced was for the improvement of the R310, which was awarded to Martin & East (PTY) Ltd on 13 March. The second, placed with Imvusa Trading 1569 CC on 19 May, was for mass earthworks for phase one of the studios’ construction, and the third was a closed tender for Piling which was awarded to Frankipile on 13 June.
The upgrading of the R310 highway is a requirement of the Traffic Impact Assessment and is earmarked for completion in December 2008. On the actual site in Faure, bush clearing was largely complete by March 2008 to prepare for the installation of major bulk infrastructure and civil works. The anticipated capital expenditure of the entire project is estimated to be in excess of R430-million over the next seven years.
The start of tendering and construction marks an important milestone in the history of the Cape Town Film Studios, says Singh. Plans are currently being finalised for four stages of varying sound and size specifications. In total there will be 7050 m² of stages and an additional 10 000 m² productions offices, production support spaces and workshops, all set to be operational by early 2010.
There are currently two further tenders that have closed. One is for the construction of phase one of the studio buildings which closed on 26 June; and the other for the construction of civil engineering services, also for phase one, which closed on 9 July 2008. These tenders are anticipated to be awarded by the end of July 2008.
The Cape Town Film Studios is, to date, the largest investment allocation to the country’s film industry and will boost much-needed investment in an under-capitalised industry and further drive the Western Cape’s turnover. “This project, which has been designed to meet local and international industry needs, will contribute to cementing Cape Town’s global position as a leading film production destination,’ says Singh.
