Cape Town's Twin Towers to be Blown Up

The Athlone Towers, a major landmark in Cape Town, will soon be a memory lost in dust particles. While for many the towers are an eye sore, others find it a useful landmark for driving directions. The Athlone Power Station and its cooling towers were built in 1960. 50 years later the old "salt & pepper pots", have their days numbered. Early this year the towers started showing signs of serious instability and a strong gust of Cape Town's south easterly winds could mean disaster. (Picture: capetown.gov.za)

The demolition date, already postponed since June 2010, has been set for August 22nd at 12 noon. The facebrick power station building and two 99m high chimneys will not be demolished. The demolition will be an implosion, which means it won't be quite as devastating as New York's twin towers, but more importantly it is not expected that any flying debris will meet the N2.

News of the demolition has caught a lot of international interest and many around the world will log on to see the live execution.

More than 5,000 facebook fans have already set the date on their calendar. Rhodes Memorial on the slope of Table Mountain will be a popular viewing point, but schools in the nearby areas including Pinelands have also offered viewing locations.

But what will become of the opened land once the towers are gone? More low-cost housing? Only time will tell...

Video from Zoopy.com:

More info:
Demolition News
CapeTown.gov.za - have your say

How do you think the land should be used? Add your comments below!