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Contractors have moved on site to begin the much-awaited upgrade of Bayworld in Port Elizabeth.
The Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture has made available R10m for the upgrade and this money has to be utilised before the end of the financial year in March.
Speaking at a media briefing on Thursday morning, Bayworld Acting Director, Stone Bell, says the clock is ticking and time frames are tight.
He says its a question of use or lose the allocation and Ulutsha Construction will be working around the clock to ensure the work is done in time.
"The R10m that was given to Bayworld, although not nearly enough, this is is the first positive move in the right direction in many years, being a fast track project this has created many challenges for the staff but has motivated everyone and we look forward in showing everyone our new improved exhibits which will be ready for Easter 2013" Bell said.
Due to health and safety constraints and the upgrades of penguin and seal exhibits the daily oceanarium presentations will shift to the amphitheatre outside the museum. Monday will see the penguins and gannets going on temporary holiday to the stream garden in another area of the complex.
The upgrade will include, not only a larger penguin exhibit but also underwater viewing windows to observe these endangered birds in their natural habitat. For the seals there will be a show pool with a grandstand for our visitors to watch seal presentations in comfort. The Aquarium will also receive an upgrade which will include a series of small acrylic tanks to enhance the visitors experience.
A further part of the infrastructure upgrade at Bayworld will be a forest style environment that will add an atmospheric element to the existing dinosaur exhibit.
This new undertaking will include a tree top style canopy spreading out from the tops of large trees, providing a jungle like surrounding with vines and dappled shade.
It will be a 'Lost World meets Skull Island' type of atmosphere. A further upgrade phase will be the addition of more prehistoric beasties to frighten and delight visitors who dare to venture into our very own Lost World.
Not to leave out the other reptiles, new viewing panels will be installed in the reptile enclosures to enable our visitors to observe them in more comfort.
Due to the ongoing construction, the snake interactions will still take place daily at 12h00 in the museum's dinosaur gallery.
Access via the bridge gate next to the formula one will be unavailable and public are to enter via the main entrance.
It is exciting that Bayworld is finally getting funding to upgrade its exhibits although the 10 million is a drop in the ocean when compared with what is required to return our dolphins and continue our dolphin program.
