Queensmead Stadium remains in ‘shocking’ condition, says softball chairman

ETHEKWINI and KZN Softball Association chairperson, Malcolm Jenner has reiterated complaints regarding the state of facilities at Queensmead Stadium, following an article in Berea Mail earlier this year.

The article highlighted the fact that floodlights were insufficient for hockey games to be hosted in the evenings at the hockey astro, which is the home of KZN hockey, and that the stadium itself was falling to pieces.

Commenting on this, Jenner said he had read the article with interest, as the Queensmead Sports Ground had also been the home of softball for many years, and felt it was sad the premises had been allowed to go downhill like it has.

He said eThekwini Softball had similar issues with the softball side of the venue, and since 2018 had been in consultation with eThekwini regarding the state of floodlights, perimeter walling, the state of the fencing, dugouts and playing area, and the fact that a power substation was exposed on site.

He said following lockdown and with the ability for softball to start up again, games were not able to be played at the stadium due to the state of the fields.

Not only this, but there are National League matches earmarked for Queensmead next year, with the venue being unplayable.

ALSO READ: Durban’s hockey season dims as stadium lights go out

“I think it’s about time the Municipality is held accountable for lack of service delivery and allowing our assets to deteriorate. Since discussions with the municipality last year, they sorted the lights out after school matches were postponed due to lack of lighting on some fields, however other issues have still not been sorted out. In 2019 we were asked to not use the fields at all in December as they were going to finally do weed spraying and topsoiling of the fields, as we had complained about players injuring themselves as the field was uneven. This never took place which means the fields are in a very shocking, unsafe condition, with plenty of holes and bumps. We can never host international tournaments in Durban because of the state of our facilities,” he said.

Jenner said the wall around part of the softball playing fields collapsed during the October 2017 flood and was never re-erected.

Wire fencing was put up, however, Jenner said balls go straight through it during play.

He said fencing around playing areas was so old he was concerned it would collapse, and dugouts were open and there was no safety for players seated there as balls could get through the broken fencing.

Jenner also said security was an issue, as cars had been broken into on the premises during games.

Responding to queries by Berea Mail earlier this year, eThekwini Municipality’s Spokesperson Msawakhe Mayisela said the municipality was aware of the concerns and that the Parks, Recreation and Culture Unit had a consulting engineer undertake a structural assessment report on this facility, which had been provided to the City to implement. The full cost assessment report had been received and was being actioned.

At the time, he said it could not be indicated when this would be completed as it would need to go out to tender and follow the normal procurement procedures. Since lockdown level one and the opening of the softball season, no further response to requests for comment has been received.

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