Top Port Elizabeth attraction Bayworld is hopeful that its long- awaited redevelopment ? estimated at R500-million ? will get under way next year, with necessary government documentation set to be in place by the end of January.

Although the renovations, initially expected to start in July 2004, have been lagging, the museum remains a hive of activity, with 23 new staff members, a busy holiday programme in place and a number of never-before-displayed exhibits.

Bayworld curator Sylvia van Zyl said many residents mistakenly believed that Bayworld had already closed in anticipation of the renovations, resulting in fewer visitors, but that "nothing could be further from the truth".

Van Zyl said the delay in renovations was because the two levels of government involved ? the museum's landlord Nelson Mandela Bay municipality, and the Eastern Cape sport, recreation, arts and culture department ? had "different agendas in the transformation of the established institution (Bayworld), and was proving to be complex".

High-level meetings were held this week between province and metro, to set the ball rolling for final documentation early next year. "It is hoped that by February, all the issues will be ironed out and that the real work on the funding plans and final designs will begin."

While it is unlikely that the entire redevelopment programme will be completed in time for the 2010 Soccer World Cup, Van Zyl said: "There is still an aspiration that a significant part of the redevelopment will be completed by 2010 in order that visitors to the Fifa World Cup games in Port Elizabeth will leave with a memorable experience."

The future of the dolphin display at Bayworld is also being investigated and debated. Last year a marine mammal scientist was contracted to reposition Bayworld's research programme after the post had been vacant for more than eight years.

Discussions are under way with Seaworld at Durban's uShaka Marine World for the possible housing of the PE dolphins during the construction phase.

New exhibits are on display, in commemoration of the museum's 150th anniversary this year. These include the Boskop fossil, South Africa's first fossilised hominid found in Potchefstroom in 1913.

Weekend Post