South African construction group WBHO, in joint venture with the Masinya Empowerment Group, reported good progress on the construction of Afrisun Kwazulu Natal’s new Sibaya Casino and Entertainment Kingdom, south of Umdloti, in Kwazulu Natal.

This is WBHO’s seventh casino as the company was also involved in the construction of the Emerald Safari Resort, Graceland, Carnival City, Grand West, Caesars and Flamingo Casinos.

The complex is scheduled to open during November 2004.

The R727-million project comprises a non-smokers and smokers casino, basement parking beneath the casino, a Salon Privé, a children’s entertainment area, an action bar, fast food court, a 500 banquet style multi purpose conference facility, a buffet restaurant in the form of a food theatre, a speciality sea-grill restaurant, a 500 seat amphitheatre, a boma and interactive cultural village and a 36 room hotel.

The R220-million construction contract started with site handover in July 2003 and at the end of February 2004, about 18 000m3 of structural concrete had already been poured and the first structural steel domed roof erected.

The concrete structure has reportedly provided some challenges for the site team, as the suspended slabs are on average 450 mm thick and are designed as transfer slabs since the structural columns generally shift position as the structure rises above the parking levels.

The columns in the lower levels have been positioned to suit a parking basement layout, while those higher up are positioned to suit the casino back-of-house and public areas.

The concept architects have also demanded a minimum of columns in the public areas, thereby challenging the structural engineers to archive large spans in the structural concrete roofs Engineering News 15 March 2004