Curepipe Town Hall: Rs 143M Needed to Prevent Collapse

During a recent municipal council meeting, troubling news emerged about Curepipe’s historic Town Hall. An architectural and cultural symbol, the building is now suffering from serious structural and financial issues that threaten its future and its role in the community.

During the meeting, officials revealed that the Town Hall has multiple critical problems. The roof, a key part of the building, is leaking badly, causing water to enter offices and damage documents and equipment.

An alarming finding was a missing wooden panel on the roof, which makes the building more vulnerable to weather damage.

Water has also accumulated in some offices, raising concerns about staff safety and the building’s long-term stability.

These issues, which could have been prevented or fixed with regular maintenance, highlight years of neglect and poor oversight.

The cost to restore the building is estimated at nearly Rs 143 million, a sum spent by the previous administration on a major renovation project.

Despite this investment, the building continues to deteriorate. Additionally, Rs 4 million remains withheld from the renovation funds, indicating that work is incomplete or funds have been held back due to unresolved issues.

The municipal finances are in a dire state. The town’s funds are exhausted, making it difficult to plan further repairs or routine maintenance.

Mayor Ravin Bissonauth described the building’s condition as “deplorable” and emphasized the need for urgent action.

During the meeting, he stressed that the municipality must act quickly to prevent irreversible damage to what he called “Curepipe’s main light.”

Plans are underway to meet with RBRB Construction to assess the extent of repairs needed and develop a strategy for restoring the building.

In light of limited public funds, the municipality is considering launching a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) campaign. Local and national companies will be approached to contribute financially or provide materials for the renovation.

The goal is to gather private support and innovative solutions to ensure the building’s preservation.

The future of Curepipe’s Town Hall remains uncertain. While it stands as a proud symbol of the city’s history, restoring it is crucial not only for heritage preservation but also for maintaining the town’s social and administrative fabric.

Residents are eager to see concrete actions to save this historic monument. Under Mayor Bissonauth’s leadership, the municipality appears committed to addressing the crisis.

Success will depend on mobilizing resources quickly, engaging all stakeholders, and acting transparently.

The leaks and disrepair highlight a broader issue: the need for regular maintenance and greater respect for urban heritage. Without swift intervention, the building could continue to decline, losing its significance for the community.

It is now time for action. The municipality must turn this crisis into an opportunity to rehabilitate the Town Hall, bringing together all possible actors to preserve this Curepipe icon.

The key question is: can they restore “Curepipe’s main light” before it’s too late? Only time will tell.

Source: l’Express