THE Western Cape's first legal casino resort - the Caledon Casino, Hotel and Spa - is one step closer to its scheduled October 2000 opening, after construction officially began on Tuesday, June 13.
Speaking at a ceremony held to mark the beginning of the construction, spokesperson Kevin King of Fortes King Hotels, said: "It has been a long and frustrating haul to get this far. We have overcome a number of setbacks, but our determination to succeed has finally won the day."
Managed jointly by the Fortes King Hospitality group, Century Casinos and the Overberg Community Trust, the construction process is being fast-tracked so that "promises can be honoured".
The existing 68-bedroom Overberg Country Hotel and Spa is continuing to operate throughout the reconstruction phase which, once completed, will feature 94 rooms and six luxury suites.
The hotel has also established an 'Outdoor Experience', an activities company which offers lessons in 4x4 driving and trails, rope challenge courses, horse riding, fly-fishing, archery, clay-pigeon shooting, mountain biking and abseiling .
(Adéle Mackenzie)
