Public invited to comment on proposed soccer academy

THE municipality has issued notice for public participation in its proposal to develop a soccer academy on the grounds of the Newmarket Stables, however ward councillor, Martin Meyer and Nadine Parker from Newmarket Stables are concerned at what they call a ‘vague’ notice which appeared on the municipality’s website.

In its notice, the municipality states it intends to grant a right for the use of the premises to Hoy Park Management for a period of 30 years at a rental of R4 300 a month, which will escalate after the first year, to develop the academy, at a nine per cent increase for the following four years.

According to the notice, the reasons for the proposal to grant a long term lease is to provide a facility that will promote athletic excellence, education opportunities, a healthy lifestyle, positive values, social awareness and responsibility and life and interpersonal skills.

“This is what we have been fighting for, as the process was supposed to be followed a year ago. I am disappointed with the city manager’s inefficiency to do this job properly. The notice is however seemingly one side above another, and the heading gives no indication on what it is about, or that it involves the Newmarket Stables property. Only in the second paragraph does it mention Hoy Park and the academy. I am a bit concerned about this, and I hope the City is not trying to bury this,” said Meyer.

Nadine Parker of Newmarket Stables agreed, saying the heading on the notice was not clear as to what the notice was about as nowhere does it mention Newmarket Stables or the Kings Park Sporting Precinct.

“I suspect something is being hidden here. The information that is needed we don’t have, such as is this an agreement concluded out of the Supply Chain Management Policy or an agreement between a public and private partnership? What are the processes? We want to see them. I feel there is not enough information in this notice for people to enter into anything meaningful, which I think was the municipality’s intention. I really hope people write in with comment,” she said.

Meyer said he felt the rental of R4 300 a month for such a large piece of ground was ridiculous.

“It is shocking that the rental for such a massive piece of land is so low. Myself and the DA support the development of a soccer academy, but not at the expense of residents. I am glad that at least the notice has been issued, and I encourage residents to make use of the process,” he said.

Meyer said residents must not write one comment and have this signed by others, like a petition, as this will only be considered as a single submission.

“The municipality counts the number of objections. Comments need to be different as well, and not carbon copies of the others, as this will also only be taken as one comment. Residents should hand deliver comments, or send as a registered letter, and they need to do it now and not wait for the end of the objection period, as December is around the corner,” he said.

The notice states that expected benefits to the municipality that may result from the public approving the granting of the right to Hoy Park include fostering closer relations with the city’s strategic sport and recreation partners, developing a flagship facility in the city’s sports precinct, promoting the city and province’s sports development mandate, promoting sports tourism, promoting the city as a sports destination and building sports capacity. The municipality states there will be no loss to the city in granting the right.

Any person who has comments or representations on the proposed granting of a long term right to Hoy Park is urged to lodge these in writing to the office of the municipal manager, City Hall, Dr Pixley Ka-Isaka Seme Street, Durban by 14 December at 5pm.

Comments must include full names, a physical address and contact details of the author, along with the grounds and details of the comment.

Anyone who is unable to write may go during office hours by appointment to the Real Estate Unit, Leasehold Department, 17th floor, Dr Langalibalele Dube Steet, where staff will assist that person to transcribe his or her comments.