GEORGE NEWS - The former York Hostel in Market Street that has been standing empty for more than a decade, will be reserved for government purposes and cannot be made available to the Eden Lions Club. 

But, what exactly the future plans for the building entail remains a mystery.

Neither the Department of Transport and Public Works, nor the George Municipality wants to reveal their intended purpose for the building.

Stephen Heyns, acting head of communications at the Department of Transport and Public Works, responded to the proposal of the Eden Lions to use the building as a base for community projects, as reported in George Herald last week. 

He said the property cannot be made available to the club because the Western Cape Department of Health and George Municipality put forward "clear expressions of interest in using the property for government purposes". As a result, it is not "surplus to state delivery requirements", and the department has therefore decided to reserve it for government use.

Building of clinic 'dependent on economic climate'
Nadia Ferreira, Western Cape Health communications officer for Eden and Central Karoo, confirmed that a clinic will be built on a portion of the site next to the hostel and they will not be using the existing building. 

"Planning of the new building is scheduled to start in 2021, dependent on the economic climate."

Municipality mum
The local authority did not want to comment regarding its plans, or when these will materialise.

The newspaper reported before on the public's concern over the deterioration of the building, which is older than 60 years. It has been standing empty for more than a decade. In recent years, security has been stepped up and from its outward appearance, it seems as if vandalism to the building has stopped. 

Heyns confirmed that any plans affecting the building will have to be submitted to Heritage Western Cape for approval.

George Municipality says Public Works as the owner is responsible for the maintenance of the building, but no confirmation for this could be obtained from Heyns.

Read a related article: Hostel 'a waste of a valuable asset'

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