WITH the recent closure of Berea Rovers, the shut down of the Newmarket Stables in 2017 and now the imminent closure of the Stables Lifestyle Market, it appears construction on the multi-million Rand Sports Academy and High Performance Centre is on track to start in the new year.
According to reports, Hoy Park (Pty) Ltd. management announced it was given a lease by the bid adjudication board in September giving it the right to occupy the land by the first of this month. However ward 27 councillor Martin Meyer said he had been informed in July that a lease had yet to been signed and recent queries regarding the matter had not been answered.
Meyer who expressed his dismay at the length of time that it has taken for the development to get off the ground, said Berea Rovers Club had been evicted about a month ago after an agreement between the club and Hoy Park fell through. “The money provided by the Province for the development of the academy has expired and ultimately, the ratepayers will be footing the bill.” he said.
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Earlier this month, the Stables Lifestyle Market was once again in the news when Hoy Park staff took down the Stables signage and put up a KZN Academy sign. The management of the market opened a case of malicious damage to property and their lawyer, Tashya Giyapersad, was instructed to obtain an interdict against Hoy Park.
Meyer said he welcomed the development of a soccer academy but felt the project could have included all those who were already established on the site.
“The cycle track has fallen into disrepair, Berea Rovers, which was the oldest sports club in the city has now closed and a market which is the fabric of Durban will be gone, all because the City wouldn’t listen to options,” he said, adding that Metro Police still didn’t have new stables for their horses.
Responding to queries by Berea Mail, eThekwini spokesperson, Msawakhe Mayisela, said: “The matter concerning the Stables Lifestyle Market is currently pending in court, therefore the City cannot provide comment at this stage.”
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