Northerns begs the metro for maintenance of facilities

The perimeter fence at Northerns also needs replacing, according to Jarvis, and is in the process of falling over.

May 16, 2021

Jemma Pringle 2 minutes read

The outside of the Northerns municipal swimming pool is riddled with graffiti.

According to Ted Jarvis, Farrarmere resident and former president of Benoni Northerns Sports Club, the grounds at the club are in desperate need of maintenance.

Cindy McCall-Peat, who runs a tumbling club at John Barrable Hall, agrees, adding that she has been doing maintenance at the hall out of her pocket.

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“The lack of maintenance detracts from the environment of the club,” said Jarvis.

McCall-Peat added that the road and the potholes have not been fixed in a long time.

“I took workers during the lockdown to fix the potholes with tar and cement but couldn’t do it properly as this is not my specialty. It was in a decent state when we started using the facility but it didn’t last long,” she said.

The perimeter fence at Northerns also needs replacing, according to Jarvis, and is in the process of falling over.

“It was scheduled to be replaced but the money was once again diverted elsewhere by the council,” said Jarvis.

“There are big holes in the fence. It needs to be replaced with proper fencing, which cannot be cut or damaged,” added McCall-Peat.

The tennis courts are also in a bad state.

Swing sets and jungle gyms are rusted and falling apart.

The house owned by the council is being requested by Northerns to be used for offices.

Potholes being fixed without the metro's assistance. Photo: Cindy McCall-Peat.

The workers filling in the potholes with tar, thanks to Cindy McCall-Peat. This was a temporary fix as it didn't last very long. Photo: Cindy McCall-Peat.

The John Barrable Hall is cared for by Cindy McCall-Peat, using money out of her pocket.

Holes in the fence can be seen when driving along the perimeter of Northerns. People are making the holes to gain access to Northerns as a short cut.

As per the council, the grass has been cut at the swimming pool area. Photo: Jemma Pringle.

Broken walls and doors inside the Northerns pool facility, as well as broken ceilings.

Potholes can be seen all along this road into Northerns and when it rains it becomes muddy and very slippery.

The Ted Jarvis field in Benoni Northerns has attracted many spectators for tournaments, championships, markets and events over the years.

The lockers inside the Northens swimming pool are broken, rusted and the area smells foul.

The potholes outside of John Barrebel Hall before McCall-Peat took action to fill them. Photo: Cindy McCall-Peat.

The Benoni Northerns swimming pool is blue and well looked after and the grass was also cut when the City Times recently visited the facility.

She explained that she maintains the John Barrabel Hall out of her pocket, include fixing anything from windows to geysers.

“I see to the repairs of windows, toilets, geysers, pipes and clean the flooring. I do all the maintenance myself at the hall as things are just in a shocking, disgusting state at the moment at Northerns.

“Also, the metro owns a house on the property at the entrance to the sports fields, which is fast becoming derelict.

There is so much in dire need of maintenance,” explained Jarvis.

“Northerns, which has a membership of almost 2 200 members, has asked permission to use the house for the club and sub-clubs’ offices. We will ensure the council-owned house is restored and maintained.”

He added that the Northerns swimming pool is also fast becoming an eyesore.

“The fascia boards are unpainted. Light poles are rusted, the gardens are overgrown and the entrance needs to be painted. The entire precinct needs to be upgraded.

“It should be remembered that our sports facilities attract well over 100 000 visitors per year to events and tournaments from all over the country, and even across borders. It presents the image of both Benoni and Ekurhuleni. The facilities also provide a service to the community and its youth,” said Jarvis.

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Metro responds

Nhlanhla Cebekhulu, divisional head of communication and media relations at the City of Ekurhuleni, said Covid-19 budget cuts and prioritisation of limited funds has led to an interruption in attending to service needs.

“The potholes are a problem at the facility and were repaired a while ago. This matter is on the Integrated Development Plan as it is not the only facility that battles with potholes.

“The old wire fence was indeed listed on the IDP for replacement, but due to budget cuts, it was placed on the outer year budget for possible funding.

“The pool is in a good condition and the grass was cut.

“The repair and painting of the building will only be addressed in the 2021/22 financial year and the sport and recreation department has already submitted the required work order.

“Maintenance is done daily within the available budget. However, with the Covid-19 restrictions, many of the facilities were closed and limited maintenance was done during the lockdown. Capital projects, such as the fence, are listed with all other projects that need to be undertaken.

“The question on the club using the house on the property has been referred to our real estate department and will be responded to in due course,” Cebekhulu said.