More setbacks in stadium saga

The Ruimsig Stadium is again mired in controversy following a recent announcement that the contract to conduct upgrades at the stadium was never finalised in December as planned.

As previously reported by the Roodepoort Northsider, the latest contract for upgrades to the stadium is a source of contention, seeing as an offer by a private consortium, Super Streak Investments (SSI), to invest a reported R180 million into the stadium was completely ignored in favour of the new contract, which initially amounted to R16 million. This was later brought down by two million.

A notice on the entrance gate to the once world-class sporting facility informing the public that the stadium would be closed from 1 January seems to have been removed. Athletes from various sporting codes were hard at work on the track on Friday, 5 January.

After Roodepoort Northsider journalist Johan Meyer had a quick walk through the stadium, he could scarcely believe that this was the venue for numerous prestigious international competitions in the not-so-distant past. Not to mention that it was an official practice location during the 2010 Soccer World Cup.

• Also read: Ruimsig Athletics Stadium set to receive R14m cosmetic makeover

Meyer noted the perimeter fencing is at first glance old and rusted, with one spot even fallen over. There is no sign of security anywhere at the stadium, with residents of the nearby informal settlement walking freely through parts of the stadium grounds to get to their homes. The security hut at the gate stands was open and empty.

Dustbins were overflowing, and in some cases, large flowerpots were used as dustbins – these were overflowing too.

On the track and in the stands, Meyer stated that the dilapidation is obvious. “The grass is for the most part unkept and the seating has seen better days, with empty bottles, discarded plastic bags, and other assorted rubbish strewn everywhere. The sand pits are dirty and unkempt, with athletes having to remove trash from them before they can practice,” Meyer noted.

On his walkabout, Meyer saw at least one questionable electricity connection, which seemingly provides electricity to stadium workers who seem to live at the facility. Their ‘yard’ even includes a little vegetable garden.

Rumours as to why the contract for the upgrade of the stadium was not finalised abound, but most stadium users seem relieved since the stadium supports jobs for many sports club operators, some of which have no other income.

Some club operators also indicated on various WhatsApp groups that they were never informed of the impending closure in the first place.

According to a Facebook post by Ward 97 councillor Jacques Hoon, failure to conclude the contract for renovations at the stadium could spell further problems as the funds secured for the upgrades may be reallocated to other projects in the meantime.

Watch this space for more updates on developments at the Ruimsig Stadium.