‘Hands off our sports grounds’- Edenvale
Hundreds of residents, including youngsters, attend meeting to raise concerns about proposed lease of sports grounds.
Edenvale residents and sporting bodies in the area stood together last Saturday in opposition of the proposed development of the JP Bezuidenhout Park.
Sporting bodies united against proposal to lease sports grounds to third party
In 2015, the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality (EMM) revealed plans to lease the park, also known as the Edenvale Sports Grounds, to a third party.
Edenvale could lose its sports grounds
On Saturday, the EMM held a public participation meeting at the Edenvale Community Centre.
Hundreds of residents, including youngsters, attended the meeting.
Mr Pieter Grobbler, a manager within the EMM’s Real Estate Department, gave a presentation before opening the floor to questions from residents. He said the municipality’s intention is to maximise the economic value of the property.
“There is huge potential for development. Investment will also lessen the burden of maintenance for the EMM. We also want to attract more sporting codes,” said Mr Grobbler.
He said the existing sports clubs would remain on the property.
Mr Grobbler urged residents to put their concerns in writing.
Residents come out in large numbers to object to proposed lease of sports grounds to third party
“We only take to council what is given to us in writing. So please put your concerns in writing,” he said.
Ward 18 councillor, Clr Heather Hart, said residents are not ready to lose the sports grounds to the unkown.
“That’s the thing, we do not know what they are planning to do with this or what the third party would do with the grounds,” said Clr Hart.
Ms Kate James of the Edenvale Stingrays Swim Club said should the grounds be leased to a third party and be subsequently redeveloped, the community at large would be affected.
“Four public schools in the area already use that swimming pool for both practice and to host galas. Imagine the impact this will have on them,” she said.
Mr Grobbler said the sports grounds are not being taken away.
“No one is taking away the sports grounds. I cannot stress this enough, the existing clubs will remain there and will still have access to the facility,” he said.
Mr Frank Bell, from the baseball club asid, “This is a community facility that offers community members the facilities to do sport. If there are going to be entrance costs for the grounds, many community members will not be able to afford the costs.”
Mr Bell then said the sports grounds allow a space for the community to come together.
The EMM previously said the reason for the proposal to a third part is to allow investors and developers the chance to develop the land parcel for the betterment of the facility.
In response to questions raised at the council meeting, the EMM said the development will be advantageous to the surrounding residents and the sporting community.
The EMM said the new investors will allow for a cash injection for the facility and will allow for an increase in popularity of the facility.
Residents email their written submission to siphokazi.mekane@ekurhuleni.gov.za
Those sending their submissions are urged to copy their submissions to saveourfields@mweb.co.za
Watch: Edenvale residents object to proposal to lease sporting grounds
