No funds to develop Alexandra driving range golf course
Lombardy East – City Parks proposes to upgrade the driving range as soon as funding is available.
The land that was earmarked for the development of the Alexandra driving range golf course in Lombardy East still remains vacant years after the project was launched.
The project was launched by the then Johannesburg mayor, Amos Masondo in 2007, but there has been no development a decade later.
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When confronted with the matter, Ward 81 councillor Irene Rugheimer told the North Eastern Tribune that the City of Johannesburg currently has no funds to go ahead with the project.
Rugheimer said they are planning to raise adequate funding for the project later when the next financial year begins.
She said, currently, the land is being used by a local coach to teach youngsters golf skills on Saturdays.
“City Parks proposes to upgrade the driving range as soon as funding is available,” said Rugheimer.
“We will have more info in the new financial year 2017/18. It is currently a capex [capital expenditure] project.”
Last year the Joburg north-east area was plunged into various protests in Bramley, Alexandra and Lombardy East with people demanding houses.
The City has, however, claimed that there is no land for them to build new houses but instead moved them to the notorious Organic Market informal settlement.
When asked if it is possible that the City could consider building houses on the Lombardy East land, Rugheimer denied.
“The land is zoned for sports and recreation and therefore not available for housing. Remember we need to retain green space.
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“We definitely require sporting fields and facilities in Ward 81. We have also proposed for the empty field linked to the driving range [behind the substation] to be upgraded to a full sports facility. However, this will only be further in the future,” she said.
Further discussions will be made during this year’s integrated development plan (IDP), she concluded.
Details: Irene Rugheimer 072 409 6594.
