CoE alters stadium’s hours
The clubs want the metro to give them more time at the main arena.
The CoE’s Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture Department recently issued a statement stipulating that Boksburg Stadium’s main arena will only be open from 06:00 to 18:00 during the week and 06:00 to 12:00 on Saturday.
According to spokesperson Zweli Dlamini, the department implemented the new times to control the use of the main arena.
“There are many clubs that use the main arena without approval. This sometimes makes it difficult for the clubs that have booked.
“We encourage clubs wanting to use the track section or the soccer field in the main arena to book with stadium management,” explained Dlamini.
Central Gauteng Athletics (CGA) general manager Mandla Radebe said they are engaging with stadium management on behalf of the clubs that train at the main arena.
“We met with the CoE on October 18 to try and understand what led council to take this decision. The stadium management said it had put protocols in place for coaches using the main arena for training to avoid using the stadium while it’s booked,” Radebe explained.
“We are trying to iron out the issue with the stadium management. Athletic clubs said the decision taken by metro directly affects them because they will not get enough time to train.
“The clubs elaborated that the timeframe won’t work for them because most of their coaches work during the day and only get home after 17:00, which does not leave much time to train with the stadium’s main arena now closing at 18:00.”
He said athletes needed to prepare for the new athletics season, starting in January.
“We also asked the metro to consider this,” Radebe said.
The notification from the department’s officials read:
• Please note that only those who have booked the main field will be allowed into the stadium.
• Entrance/gate into the stadium main field will be locked during booked events.
• Only participants who have booked the main field will be allowed access to the stadium.
• From Mondays to Fridays, the stadium will be open from 06:00 to 18:00 if there is no official booking.
• On Sundays and public holidays, the stadium will be closed if there is no official booking.
• For information on stadium bookings, call the booking office on 011 999 5293/9 or 011 999 5236.
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