Renovating bikers brighten up Roosevelt Park

They expected them to race ‘donuts’ down driveways, behave in a loud and disorderly fashion and trek up and down the street in the early morning hours, laughing raucously and revving their motorcycles. They didn’t expect them to lovingly renovate and restore the dilapidated tennis court on the road corner.

That’s exactly what the bikers from Hybrids South Africa did at Roosevelt Park Tennis Club. The club was in a state of total disrepair, until the benevolent bikers decided to intervene.

“Initially, a couple of the neighbours were quite antagonistic when we rocked up here on our bikes,” Tony Helfrich, secretary of Hybrids SA said on Wednesday.

“But now, even the angriest neighbours are jumping in to help out.”

Hybrids SA is both a business and a biker’s club, and they aim to uplift communities and make a difference. The tennis club is their first community project.

“The entrance was a dumping ground for rubbish. We cleared that up. The property fence was fixed, and we removed and replaced the sliding gate. The pavement was in a really bad state of repair, so we tackled that too. Water was leaking, the geysers were fixed; blocked drains were cleared. The grass was around waist-high,” Helfrich explained.

“We went in with weed-eaters. We tackled the Rhodesian creepers – at least that’s what I think they were – that were choking up the place. And we’ve gotten rid of the homeless guys and those using the property as a toilet by clearing out the overgrowth.”

All these reparations have been paid for out of their own pockets, but they have been paid in gratitude by the community.

“ A couple of weeks ago, on a Saturday, a whole bunch of the neighbours joined in and helped us clean up the place. That’s the best thing about this, it’s such a pleasure being accepted and encouraged by the neighbourhood,” Helfrich smiled.

“Some of the guys who used to belong to the tennis club, or still occasionally use the courts stopped by, came up to us and shook our hands.”

Paddy Maddison, one of the neighbours, was helping out by refurbishing the clubhouse doors on Wednesday. “This project brings people together,” he said.

Hybrids SA are also aiming to use the club as a place for neighbourhood activities. Noise Dance studio, run by instructor Julia Lamberton, has already opened its doors on the refurbished property and pupils are practicing their moves there.

Helfrich says they’re also aiming to open an organic market, and they’ve already lined up a series of classes in wildlife conservation, photography, art and various talks.

“Most of the guys involved with the refurbishment come from really poor backgrounds,” Helfrich said.

“One of them lives in a van. There’s another one who walks 10km to get here and help out. They’re really dedicated. This goes beyond just fixing tennis courts, there’s a really strong human element as well.”

“I never got a chance early in life,” Hybrids SA president Greg Watson said.

“I believe in giving people chances and making a difference, you don’t need a million rand to do that. We wouldn’t say no to anyone wanting to donate a couple of buckets of paint, though.”

The group do have their next project lined up.

“We’re very excited,” he said, visibly enthused.

“We’re revved up and ready for it. There’s even more to do at this(next) tennis court.”