The Reho Spa Recreation Resort will be reopened in late 2015 now that Rehoboth Community Trust has signed a 12-year lease agreement with owners Namibia Wildlife Resorts (NWR).

The hot springs recreational resort features an indoor thermal bath, large swimming pool and conference facilities. It is situated in the town of Rehoboth in the Hardap Region, about 90km (56m) south of the capital city – Windhoek.

The trust is expecting to spend close to NA$10m (US$853,000, €717,000, £561,00) in upgrading the facility, which has been closed since April 2011 following the lease of the property to private investors who allegedly failed to honour their agreement with the NWR. The deal was brokered in 2008, but collapsed in 2011, causing the venture to incur large water and electricity debts, owed to the Rehoboth Municipality and the Namibia Water Corporation. The condition of the property has deteriorated and chair of the Rehoboth Community Trust, Ronald Kubas, told Nampa that the NWR will settle the outstanding water and electricity bills.

The first phase of the upgrading work, which will cost approximately NA$3.5m (US$298,000, €251,000, £196,000) will run from January to April 2015. The second phase will commence shortly after and is expected to cost the remaining NA$6.5m (US$555,000, €466,000, £364,000).

Around 30 local volunteers have begun working on a cleaning operation at the site, in preparation for the renovation work.