NIEU-BETHESDA NEWS — The Sneeuwitjie Early Childhood Development Centre, commonly known in Nieu-Bethesda as Sneeuwitjie, is about to undergo major infrastructural changes.
The Centre is earmarked to be restructured after receiving funding from the National Lotteries Commission (NLC) to the amount of R3.8miliion. The Charities Distributing Agency of the NLC approved funding for the erection of a new building in July 2016. The building plans, which was a contractual condition, were pre-approved by the NLC in conjunction with the Department of Social Development.
This initiative forms part of the NLC targeted call for applications for Early Childhood Development Infrastructure issued in December 2014 and which closed in February 2015.
As reported by the NLC, almost 5 000 applications were received nationally and only 203 have been approved, of which Sneewitjie was also successful. This is indeed a major achievement and a good reflection on Sneeuwitjie!
The pre-implementation phase encompasses, amongst others, the identification of suitable land, requesting permission for various developmental aspects from the Dr Beyers Naude Municipality, issuing tenders, liaising with various role-players, etc.
As the NLC conditions stipulated the erection of a new building, the identification of appropriate land proved to be a hindrance. Considering land use and spatial development policies, the need for environmental impact assessments, availability of municipal services as well as rezoning requirements, it was proposed that the NLC consider using the current premises and adjust the pre-approved building plans to be incorporated into the existing structure. This delayed the implementation significantly. Assistance was received from the Provincial NLC office as well as the consulting engineers appointed by the NLC for the drafting of the revised building plans.
The Charities Distributing Agency is currently deciding on the request for deviation. Should approval be granted, it is expected that building will commence within weeks thereafter.
A proposal is currently being drafted to name the new building in honour of Marian Horn, the former manager of Sneeuwitjie ECD Centre, who initiated the application to the NLC and unfortunately passed away in October 2015.
'We bring you the latest Nieu-Bethesda, Karoo news'
