Schools near Coronation Park have been outraged after learning that they will have to pay to use the park’s facilities, even though it is not for profit.
Principal of Laerskool Millennium Primary, Billy da Silva said, “We never used to pay to make use of the facilities for cross-country, but after Covid we were told that we should pay R10 per learner and R26 per adult even if they are just spectators”.
Management of the park, which is in close proximity of Laerskool Millennium Primary and Alma Mater International School, has asked both schools to start paying an entrance fee, which is something new to the school as this was not a requirement before. Da Silva explained that “We [Millennium Primary] would host a district cross-country race and make use of their facilities in the past with many children, we don’t even make use of their facilities”.
According to Da Silva, the school was unable to continue with cross-country due to the pandemic, but it was their first time saying that we should pay, according to English teacher and cross-country coach Mary Masumbuka, “We are not even allowed to practise there.” Masumbuka claims that they were asked if they had a permit in order to use the facilities.
Mogale City responded to these claims detailing that Coronation Park required people to start paying from 2019,
“Coronation Park was recently renovated but regrettably vandalised soon after that. Although the municipality had not made any financial arrangements for vandalism repairs, restoration work was required. This means funds that were meant for maintenance had to be redirected towards repairs. This matter was then presented before Council which resolved that members of the public (not only schools) must pay an entrance fee to access Coronation Park thus generate revenue required for the maintenance and upkeep of the park,” a statement issued by Mogale City Parks Management to the News said.
The statement further stated that paying an annual fee is not authorised by Mogale City Parks Management, but rather “Such payments are made as and when individuals or groups wish to make use of the park”.
Furthermore schools that wish to use Coronation Park must pay a fee and a formal application letter for bookings must be submitted.
