The Sunday News
Mthabisi Tshuma, Sunday Life Correspondent
THE norm that mining town’s leisure spots are filled with dirt and rowdy behaviour where immorality is the order of the day might turn an ancient myth in Gwanda’s Central Business District (CBD).
Small-scale miners are mythically described as a lot that likes to have their fun in crowded places where they enjoy their hard earned money but alas, that seems to be slowly changing as Aquaworld Leisure centre seems to be gaining popularity in the mining town.
A first glance to the outing place inside the Gwanda hotel along the Beitbridge- Bulawayo highway, one is met with a refreshed atmosphere which brings life and influences one to just envisage for a good time.
Heading to the venue, one comes across, touts who are a stone throw away and bring shock to the change of settings, from a noisy place to a relaxed environment.
Standing out to be regarded as one of the upmarket places to visit in the mining town, Aquaworld Leisure Centre comprises a bar, a conference area, a restaurant and a poolside area where revellers can relax and enjoy their drinks.
The place was revamped to create a new standard for the miners and the Gwanda community who are known to be flashy with their pockets.
Proprietor of the place Tshemisi Phiri said the revamping of the place cost over USD$40 000 as they aimed at creating an eye-catching relaxation zone.
The leisure spot also focuses on business lunches, private functions, individual meals, themed birthday parties, wedding and corporate cocktails among other activities.
“We demolished everything and rebuilt as we wanted to create a new classy outing place for the people of Gwanda. The vision is to provide a family centric leisure centre as we also accommodate children through having a children’s play centre with video games and physical games to encourage healthy living among kids,” said Phiri.
For such places to thrive, incorporation of the arts sector leads to the blooming of the joint and that is why the ideal setup of the place which has a stage-like structure.
“Art, poetry, spoken word and singers are part of a platform for youths that we want to create in order to exchange their creative ideas. We plan to provide them with space where artistes can interact in a conducive environment and our first step is to provide a workspace where artistes can showcase their talents, creating a Karaoke night as this will promote and create artistic space for all budding artistes in Gwanda and mining towns around,” said Phiri.
As the Covid-19 has hit the country and leisure spots most affected, the joint has shut down and has vowed to come with a bang when it joins the entertainment nightspots lot once gain.
“At the moment we are adhering to the call to close and will open until such a time when the ban has been lifted. This is to protect our patrons and our staff alike. We have to protect our population at all cost and after all a healthy population is a productive one,” said Phiri.
