20th Anniversary of the Power Group

EIENDOM IN LANGEBAAN-AFTREEOORD OPGERAAP

Langebaan-Aftreeoord oortref alle verwagtinge, met opgewondenheid onder kopers sowel as die breë gemeenskap. Sedert die verkoopskantoor in Desember verlede jaar geopen het, is die helfte van die wooneenhede reeds verkoop. Belangstelling is baie groot in hierdie tradisionele Weskus-oord met sy 63 huise, 28 woonstelle en ‘n volledig toegeruste mediese sentrum vir verswaktes.

In die eerste week van Februarie 2004 sal daar met die bou van die skouhuis begin word.
‘n Segsman vir Power Developments sê dat meeste van die kopers tot dusver uit die omgewing kom, van plekke soos Langebaan, Vredenburg, Paternoster en Hopefield. Meeste van die kopers is in die ouderdomsgroep middel 50’s tot laat 60’s. Die demografiese profiel van die kopers is ‘n duidelike indikasie dat spekulante nie deel uitmaak van die kopersmark nie.
Langebaan-Aftreeoord is ‘n trekpleister vir mense wat ‘n veilige leefwyse soek in ‘n ontspanne seekus-omgewing, vir die goue jare.
Henrie Jonck, direkteur van Langebaan-Aftreeoord, stel dit so: “Mense erken die projek as die eerste allesomvattende aftreeoord aan die Weskus. Die versorgingseenheid vir verswaktes het groot belangstelling uitgelok van sover as Hermanus, Strand en selfs Vishoek.
Mitchell & Botha Argitekte het getrou gebly aan die tipiese, historiese Weskus-argitektuur. Huise word aangebied vanaf R579 000 in ses ontwerpsopsies, wat kwaliteitafwerking en gemak bied. Die eenhede bestaan uit een- en tweeslaapkamer huise. Opsionele ekstras sluit in braaiplekke, kaggels, ‘n derde slaapkamer, dubbele toesluitmotorhuise of motorafdakke.
Hierdie ontwikkeling is aantreklik as ‘n belegging sowel as ‘n woonplek vir afgetredenes. Huise word aangebied op ‘n plot en plan basis. Heffings is vasgepen tot 2006. Met verkoping van eietitel huise, gaan alle profyt na die verkoper. Die lewensregwoonstelle gee inwoners die reg om hulle oorspronklike kapitaal met herverkoop te behou, plus ‘n deel van die wins wat op ‘n glyskaal bepaal word, afhangend van die okkupasie-tydperk.
Die fasiliteit vir verswaktes sal deur professionele, ervare personeel beman word en dit, saam met die lewensregwoonstelle, sal bestuur word deur Gerimed wat ook die baie suksesvolle Kogelpark-Aftreeoord te Kleinmond bestuur.
Irene Fouché van Gerimed wat die nuwe sentrum saam met haar eggenoot Flip sal bestuur, sê dat die sentrum vir verswaktes tydelike, asook volgehoue sorg bied in 25 private kamers, almal en-suite, met hulp t.o.v. persoonlike higiëne, mobiele aktiwiteite, administrasie van medikasie en algemene gesondheidsorg, terapeute en haarkappery.
Die oord wat 24 uur sekuriteit geniet met ‘n geëlektrifiseerde heining, beheerde toegang, twee eetkamers, ‘n sitkamer en kroeg, ‘n biblioteek, ontwerpte tuine en ‘n interne alarmstelsel gekoppel aan ‘n sentrale kontrolekamer, geleë langs Langebaan se munisipale kantore en net ‘n klipgooi vanaf elke denkbare fasiliteit.
Francois du Toit van Creative Profile, self ‘n liefhebber van die Weskus, is tans verkoopsagent en sê: “Hierdie oord bied ‘n unieke geleentheid om die ryk Weskuskultuur te geniet. Langebaan is die middelpunt van ‘n area wat natuurlewe, blommeprag, wonderlike kuslyn en watersport bied, tesame met gholf en ‘n casino. Kopers kan in weelde hul eie lewenstyl geniet en terselfdertyd deel in ‘n plaaslike omgewing met ryk Suid-Afrikaanse tradisie.”
‘n Afspraak om persele te besigtig en die verkoopskantoor te besoek, kan gemaak word met Michelle du Toit by die bemarkingsagente se kantoor te 021 913 7728.
LANGEBAAN RETIREMENT VILLAGE PROPERTY SNAPPED UP
There’s a hype of expectancy as roll out for the Langebaan Retirement Village gathers momentum. Almost half of the residential units have been sold since the sales office opened in December last year. Interest in this traditional West Coast village comprising of 63 cottages, 28 apartments and a 24-hour fully-equipped medical frail care centre remains high.
Construction on the show house is scheduled to start the first week of February 2004.
A spokesperson from Power Developments says most of the sales have been to people in the area and surrounds, such as Langebaan, Vredenburg, Paternoster and Hopefield. Most of the buyers are in the mid-50s to late 60s bracket.
The Langebaan Retirement Village is attracting people in search of a secure lifestyle in a relaxed seaside environment for their golden years. In some cases children have also invested in units for their parents.
Says Henrie Jonck, operations director of Langebaan Retirement Village: “People recognise the project as the first West Coast all-embracing retirement village. Major interest has been shown in the frail care facility from people as far afield as Hermanus, Strand and even Fish Hoek.
Architects Mitchell & Botha have faithfully followed design guidelines retaining elements of typical historic West Coast architecture. Offering cottages from R579 900 in six design options, each emphasises comfort and quality finishes. Accommodation includes one and two-bedroom homes. Optional extras include braais, fireplaces, a third bedroom, double lock-up garages, or carports.
The development is attractive as both an investment and a home for retirees. Cottages are on a plot and plan basis. Levies are fixed, escalating only in 2006. On resale of the single title cottages, all profit goes to the seller. The life-title apartments allow for occupants to regain original capital invested, plus a portion of the profit, which is determined on a sliding scale, depending on the period of occupancy.
The frail care facility, staffed by professional, experienced personnel, as well as the life title apartments are to be managed by Gerimed, who also manage the very successful Kogelpark Retirement Village in Kleinmond.
“The frail care centre features temporary or permanent care in 25 private rooms, all en-suite and provides assistance with personal hygiene, mobile activities, administration of medicine and general health care, therapists and hairdressers,” said Gerimed’s Irene Fouché, who will manage the centre with husband Flip.
The village, which enjoys around the clock security, an electrified boundary fence and wall, a single access-controlled entrance, two dining rooms, a lounge with a pub, a library, a landscaped gardens and an internal emergency alarm system linked to a central control room, is adjacent to the Langebaan municipal offices, a sunny stroll from every facility.
Says Francois du Toit of Creative Profiles, an expert on West Coast lifestyles and retained as sales agent: “The village offers a unique opportunity to enjoy the rich West Coast ambiance. Langebaan is the hub of an area teeming with wildlife, flowers, antiquity, wonderful coastline and water sport, golf and a casino. Buyers can enjoy their own lifestyle in luxury, yet blend with amazing locals and area rich in South African tradition.”

Cape Business News

POWER CONSTRUCTION FOCUS ON ROADS

In their continuing efforts to provide clients and consulting engineers with the best possible service, a decision was recently made by the Power Group to combine the Roadwork units in Power Construction West Cape (Pty) Ltd with the Paving, Milling and Surfacing operations currently known as Blitz Asphalt (Pty) Ltd. The new company called Power Construction Roads (Pty) Ltd, will trade under the name “Power Roads”.

Being aware of the external environment with regard to the deterioration of our National and Urban roads network and the need for specialised roadwork skills in the industry, this change was considered necessary.
Power Construction Roads (Pty) Ltd specialises in major and minor road construction, rehabilitation of roads, premix/asphalting, general surfacing (seals), airport taxiways, runways and apron slabs and parking areas and has established enviable track records for high quality performance, often well ahead of schedule, whatever the time constraints. This is in line with the company philosophy of commitment to “Power Ways”, a disciplined adherence to control, planning, measurement and management, which sets and ensures the achievement of exceptional standards of operational excellence, that has become the company’s competitive edge.
The new company consists of 2 operational units namely:

• 
  National & Trunk Roads: Construction & Rehabilitation under the leadership of Louwtjie Louw
  

• 
  Urban Engineering & Infrastructure: Rehabilitation & Maintenance under the leadership of Dieter Vietze
  

The Rural Roads Division has successfully completed Gouritz Mouth to Mosselbay on the N2 in March 2002 for the South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL), and is currently in the process of completing the Zoutfontein and Bontebok contracts on either side of Hanover on the N1.

This Division has recently been awarded a R60 million contract from Bultfontein to Vogelstruisfontein (Richmond) on the N1 for SANRAL. The contract involves 23.5km of cold in-situ recycling, together with a G1 basecourse and a 19mm Cape Seal, over a period of 20 months.
They have also been awarded a rehabilitation contract on the N2 in the Eastern Cape between Toleni and Ibika to the value of R59 million over a length of 28.4km. The Employer on this 18 month contract is also SANRAL (South).
The Urban Power Roads teams have just completed Ou Kaapse Weg as well as the rehabilitation of the N7 between Goodwood and the Melkbosstrand turn-off, a R40 million Joint Venture contract with Martin and East. The rehabilitation consisted of in-situ recycling with foam bitumen of the existing road layers (250mm thick), and a 35mm Asphalt overlay together with a 18mm ultra-thin asphalt surfacing. (“Novachip”).
They are currently engaged in Kraaifontein : Maroela Road for the City of Cape Town; routine road maintenance (patch repair works and crack sealing) on the N1, N2 and R300 in the vicinity of Cape Town and the resealing of the Du Toits Kloof Pass between the Huguenot Tunnel and Florence for SANRAL.

Some of the recent and current major projects of the Asphalt and Urban Division include Rehabilitation of taxiways at Cape Town International Airport, Ou Kaapse Weg, and Kromboom Parkway Phases 1 & 2. In addition, this Division has continued to service the City of Cape Town in respect of urban road rehabilitation and maintenance work. A large number of small projects have been completed successfully and cost efficiently. A good example of the initiative and commitment of the Power Roads teams is the rehabilitation of Vissershok Road during October to December 2001, when this road, which was falling apart, was rehabilitated and resurfaced within six (6) weeks – a job that would normally take 6 months!

Power Construction Roads has good working relationships with all the SMME companies in the Western Cape, and has done Consortium and Joint Venture projects with most of them in the past.
The Blitz Asphalt brand has, since its inception in 1990, become a major force in the specialised surfacing market, but with the same teams involved, they are confident that the “Power Roads” brand will signify greater capability of both entities.
Power Construction Roads is a division of the Cape-based Power Group of Companies, a dynamic conglomerate providing a comprehensive range of civil engineering, blacktop paving, manufacturing and township development services.
Sparrebosch Clifftop Estate & Country Club

“Environmental Friendly” Construction

Power Construction South Cape started work on the Sparrebosch contract with a R2,2million access road project, and then secured a R12-million contract for the roads and bulk services. This was increased to R15-million with additional pipelines and other works that were completed in June 1999 under circumstances described by director Paul Thiart as "definitely the tightest environmental controls we've ever encountered."
While this made life very difficult at times, it was both a challenge and a valuable learning experience that will stand the company in good stead for similar projects in this environmentally conscious area - and especially with projects like Thesen Islands Development.
"With the good track record we've established at Sparrebosch for both conservation and high quality construction, and the support system we've built up with local officials, I believe our credibility in Knysna is rock solid - a vital asset in this area, which is becoming more competitive in the construction industry every day," Paul said.
“We must be aware of the consequences if environmental protection is not properly costed and properly implemented during construction.”
Paul's views were endorsed by Knysna Council member Vicky Smit, who remarked after the ribbon-cutting ceremony: "It is amazing how this place has changed, and yet retained its unspoiled, natural look, without damage to the environment."
Sparrebosch - Knysna
Power Construction South Cape is proud of the successful completion of Civil Services at Sparrebosch, a blue chip golf and country club development high above the Knysna Lagoon.
The project included a R2,2 million access road and a R15 million contract for roads and bulk services, as well as additional pipelines and other works that were completed in June 1999.
A demanding contract, Power Construction South Cape adhered to very strict environmental controls to ensure minimal impact on the area’s ecologically sensitive natural environment. This included control measures to limit the impact of the construction site on Woodbourne Pan, and avoiding the breeding areas of a rare butterfly species indigenous to Knysna.

Power Construction enhances its excavator and dozer fleets with new Komatsu units

Leading Cape Town based civil engineering contractors Power Construction recently acquired two Komatsu excavators and a bulldozer as replacements for older Komatsu machines.

The latest purchases comprise a 30,8 t PC300-6 excavator, a 22,2 t PC220-6 excavator and a 20,6 t D65EX-12 bulldozer. The new purchases also partly represent upgrades as the PC300-6 replaces an old PC220-6 and the new dozer, which incorporates hydrostatic steering, is a substantial enhancement on the older model D65E-8G.
Power Construction has been using Komatsu equipment for the past 16 years, its first purchase being a D65E-8G dozer in 1986. Today Komatsu equipment is a strong brand in the company’s excavator, bulldozer and wheel loader fleets.
Plant director Fanie van der Westhuizen says the main factors in favour of Komatsu equipment is its consistent reliability, low running costs and high residual value of the equipment. Furthermore, while they use the most up-to-date operating technology to ensure that the equipment works at maximum efficiency, the control systems are relatively simple to keep maintenance and repair costs down to a minimum, he added.

Projects on which the company is currently engaged include a road rehabilitation project at Hanover in the Karoo, rehabilitation of the N7 in Cape Town, the Thesen Islands development in Knysna and the Brackenridge upmarket housing development at Plettenburg Bay.

R1.5-billion Cape golf estate tees off
Construction of the first nine holes at the R1.5-billion Pearl Valley signature golf estate and spa in the Western Cape is on track for completion by October.
The layout and grassing of the first six holes of the Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course has been completed. Pearl valley project director Zuraimi Mustapha says the cool season grass, used especially for its quick-growing properties, good drainage and lo water requirements, has taken well and the fairways of six of the holes are fully grassed.
The R44.5-million golf course construction contract is being undertaken by Golf Data. Following completion of phase one and two earthworks at a cost of R10-million, a further two contracts with a combined value of R40.8-million, covering phase three earthworks and phase one infrastructure and services, have been awarded to Power Construction.
“By the end of phase three earthworks a total of 1,2-million cubic metres of earth wil have been moved to shape the 18 fairways of the golf course, the housing platforms and the 17ha of man-made lakes,” says Power Construction contracts manager Francois Voigt.
“Phase one civil work includes the construction of the main entrance and water, sewerage and road networks for the residential developments,” he says. Thirty percent of the phase one contract is being undertaken by an empowerment company as part of Pearl Valley’s commitment to involving black-empowerment companies in the development of the estate.
The R7-million bulk water supply and reservoir contract has also been awarded to Power Construction. Runoff water and water from subsoil drains will all be directed into an irrigation lake at the 13^th hole from where it will be dispersed by a network of 70km if pipes to irrigate the glf course and road reserve and to top uo the other dams.
Buks Zeeman, resident engineer of Africon, the consulting engineer for the project says that the design of the R7-million serwer-pump station, rising main and sewerage-treatment works on the farm Kliprug has begun. Phase three earthworks and phase one infrastructure and services are due to be completed by the end of August this year.
Pearl Valley, which is located between Franchhoek and Paarl, is being developed by Malaysian company, Malaysian Resources Corporation Berhad. The first phase of the project comprises Nicklaus’s world-class 18-hole golf course, a clubhouse, community, security and other services and 193 plots.

“About 30 of the residential plots in phase one have been sold, with another 30 plots reserved,” says Mustapha.

“Sales are expected to escalate further on completion of the first nine holes,” he says. When sales reach 70%, construction is expected to begin on the nest of six phases of the project. In total Pearl Vallet covers an area of 212 ha, which will be made up of 170ha of golf estate and residential area and 41 ha of farmlands.
There are to be 320 residential homes, 180 lodges, a proposed 90-room hotel and health and fitness centre and several recreational facilities, an aquestrian centre and citrus orchards and vineyards.