Lambert Park, a multi-functional sport and recreational area in Estcourt, has become an embarrassment for local sporting associations.
From the pothole-riddled entrance road to the long grass, poorly maintained sports fields and ‘distasteful’ ablution facilities, this park is slipping in popularity as some local as well as visiting teams prefer to stay away from the neglected municipal facility.
In an effort to salvage the deteriorating park and preserve its legacy, Umtshezi Cricket Association (UCA) has injected cash and put in the hard work after numerous pleas to the local municipality were ignored.
Over the past years, the association has invested thousands of rands to maintain the facilities at Lambert Park. This includes grass cutting, which costs about R700 a week; as well as replacing an irrigation pipe and buying fertilizer for the pitch.
In one instance, when the municipality did cut the grass, cricket officials reported that the off-cuts were left on the field.
“After advising one of the municipal officials at the ground that there was a Northern Natal inter-town game that weekend, he promised to have it raked, but did not do so. Two local cricket clubs had to delay their match by an hour to first rake up the grass before any weekend matches could be played,” the association’s members recall.
And it’s not just the long grass and upkeep of the fields that require attention… The UCA says that over the years, Lambert Park has been ‘left to rot’, with no upgrades or development.
“The ablution facilities at Lambert Park are an embarrassment. We host inter-town games there and have to constantly explain to our Northern Natal counterparts why the toilets are in such disrepair. The grounds have also not had water for approximately two months now. Local NGO, the Al-Imdaad Foundation, had to assist on numerous occasions with water,” explained the association.
“Sport has the ability to steer youngsters away from drugs and a life of criminality. Lambert Park used to be the jewel in the crown of sporting grounds in the region, but sadly has lost its lustre. Over the years, the ground has been left to rot and there have been no upgrades. There has never been adequate seating and ablution facilities for spectators, and the lighting needs to be upgraded. The UCA hosts Northern Natal teams regularly, but due to disrepair, the grounds have become a laughing stock. A humble plea goes out to the local municipality to put in the effort and budget to maintain these sporting facilities for all sporting codes in town,” concluded the association.
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