R2-m revamp breathes new life into Montclair park
"This is a brilliant achievement and no other ward has this, so we are indeed blessed,"
TWO MILLION rand and tons of sweat and blood later , the Montclair Park is finally ready and waiting to be used by the community.
An official handover of the park took place on Wednesday, 7 September but renovations were completed at the end of July and were already in use by enthusiastic skateboarders and gym fanatics.
Cassim Saidi, a contractor from Wenzenjani and Morgan Chetty from Development Engineering had the honour of handing over the park to formercouncillor, Billie Prinsloo who was there not only on behalf of newly elected councillor, Gavin Hegter but to also watch a dream come alive. “I’m so relieved that we managed to overcome every obstacle thrown at us during the times of construction. In time, it was sorted out and the contract continued,” she said.
The renovation of the park, which was once a Montclair gem, was long overdue. And since its deterioration, Prinsloo petitioned for the upgrade of the park situated in the heart of the area for seven years. “It is a dream come true but the dream is not complete. I will be putting in a request with help from Cllr Hegter, for a cycling path, a picnic area and to upgrade all children’s play equipment,” she added.
The park now boasts a new tennis court, basketball and netball, volleyball and an outdoor gym. The area’s children are delighted at the half pipe skateboard rank and play area for smaller children.
Cllr Hegter is ecstatic with the completion of the park and imagines great things being done in the park. “I ask the community to now take ownership of the park. We did this for your benefit so take advantage of the facilities that have been made available. Treat it like your own and respect the equipment. I thank Billie for her fight for the park and for being such a great influence in this community. It’s because of her we were able to improve our standard of living,” he said.
Big thanks go out to Ethekwini’s Park and Recreation department for providing the funds for the project, to Cassim and Dawood Saidi from Wenzenjani and Morgan Chetty from Development Engineering and their teams for making it possible and bringing the idea to life. “This is a brilliant achievement and no other ward has this, so we are indeed blessed,” said Prinsloo.
For those who would like to use the courts, the keys and nets will be kept with the caretaker of the Montclair recreational hall, Tienie Stanley at 191 Wood Road. She will not have any equipment kept with her, so the public must provide their own bats and balls.
