Sporting bodies in Edenvale have lashed out at council’s plans for a multi-billion Rand development of the Edenvale Sports Grounds and Horwood’s Farm.
The development, which would include a mini Ellis Park-type stadium seating 14 000 people, doctor’s offices, training facilities, town houses and a hotel, was labelled as a travesty for local sports clubs.
In an executive summary of the property, it states that the sports grounds are “a vacant farm land used as a stadium with a municipal valuation of R0-million”.
At a meeting on Thursday evening, held at the Edenvale Sports Grounds, the ward 18 councillor for Edenvale, Clr Heather Hart, told sporting bodies and clubs that for many the sports grounds are seen as the heart and soul of Edenvale.
“We are stuck between a rock and a hard place. On the one side, there is no doubt we need development but on the other side, what will happen to the facility a year or two down the line? We all know what happened to Ellis Park and its surrounding areas,” said Clr Hart.
Approximately two years ago, Clr Hart was called to a meeting with a potential investor who said he would not reveal plans for the property until such a time as a lease is signed.
“Council resolved that an unsolicited bid from the investor would not be entertained but that it will open the process for proposals from other investors,” said Clr Hart.
“In addition, instead of maintaining Horwood’s Farm as it should have, council has included the facility into the bid,” she said.
“In the past, many people have shown an interest in leasing Horwood’s Farm but whoever takes the property will have to pay R43 000 rent for the property plus an addition R40 000 per month to maintain the property and still have to invest a couple of million to restore the farmhouse,” said Clr Hart.
She proposed that the sporting clubs submit a counter bid, but the already struggling sports clubs did not see this as a viable option.
According to some, council has not supplied so much as one drum of paint for the facility in 24 years.
If the process is allowed to go ahead, bids will be advertised in the Sowetan and Star newspapers.
The bids will then be evaluated and adjudicated before it will be awarded.
“Only then will there be public participation from the community and sporting bodies,” said Clr Hart.
Some of the questions raised on Thursday night included the effect the development will have on sporting bodies, traffic and property values in the area.
Sporting bodies also questioned what will happen to the clubs during the development time.
“I was assured the clubs will be taken care of and moved during the development,’ said Clr Hart.
According to the spokesperson for the EMM, Mr Themba Gadebe, the sports grounds have not been sold, nor are there plans to sell the property.
“There is no council resolution that the property be leased yet. However, if there was such a resolution, participation will be undertaken in terms of applicable legislation,” he said.
When asked what future developments would mean for the sports clubs currently based at the facility, Mr Gadebe said it should be noted that the leases for the various clubs have expired.
“With regards to the future of the clubs, they can also participate to submit future requests for proposals as with other members of the public that have an interest,” he said.
A Strategic Land Parcel
The property management division of the Ekurhuleni real estate department recently set out to consider the long-term lease of not only the Edenvale Sports Grounds but also Horwood’s Farm as a Strategic Land Parcel (SLP).
The lease would incorporate the development of sports and recreation facilities, entertainment facilities, businesses, offices and retail space.
In a summary of the consideration, the real estate committee stated that the EMM is faced with several socio-economic challenges that restrict growth potential.
Therefore, several SLP’s were identified to fast-track the development and advance the EMM’s economic development agenda.
The intention is to make SLP’s available for development by private sector investors through either a long-term lease or outright sale, depending on feasibility studies.
The Edenvale Sports Grounds, also known as JP Bezuidenhout Park Stadium and Horwood’s Farm, were identified due to its size, location and zoning.
In an attempt to prevent the development of the grounds, sporting bodies in Edenvale intend on petitioning council.
For information regarding the petition and where to sign, e-mail active.aquanauts@gmail.com
