With less than 20 people attending the meeting at the Civic Centre’s Supper hall, Athwell Sijadu, director for metro’s Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture (SRAC) mentioned a few reasons why the stadium was in its current state.
The stadium was originally built in 1949 as a sport stadium to host national and international sport.
Sijabu says the Valke Rugby Union was the last group to have used the stadium, but unfortunately it moved to another town to use its facilities.
With the stadium being in Ekurhuleni, most of the provincial or national sport teams are not Ekurhuleni-based teams.
Cricket SA is already using the recently upgraded Willowmoore Stadium, therefore there is only soccer and rugby left, but there is no draw-card.
Zeni Tshongweni, member of Ekurhuleni’s mayoral committee (MMC) for SRAC, says they have received about five major proposals for the use of the stadium in the past, but nothing came of it.
She explains these people could not explain exactly what they wanted to do with the place, show research material or give any financial back-up.
Demolishing the stadium and build two soccer fields; upgrade it at the cost of between R47-million and R50-m; demolish it and build something smaller, were a few ideas mentioned.
“But the question remains, who is going to use it when is has been upgraded?” says Tshongweni.
The MMC says she is hoping a developer will see the place and decide to build a shopping centre.
Sijadu says the Ekurhuleni metro is currently in a difficult position regarding the stadium, as they don’t have any premier league sport teams that might be able to use the facility.
He believes there is a solution in trying to tie the sport groups together.
At the moment the metro pays four security guards to guard the stadium, two at night and two during the day.
Sijadu says although there are security guards on duty, there is a need for tighter security.
The metro has cut the grass at the stadium in an attempt to maintain it.
Dean Stone, ward councillor, suggests the stadium to be turned into a full inter-school stadium to prevent the schools from travelling to Boksburg or Germiston.
Tshongweni replied, saying they never received any proposition from the schools, but it is possible that the schools and SRAC might be able to come up with a workable solution between them and the community.
“We are not saying demolish the stadium, but need the proposals to be accompanied by research and have the necessary documentation to prove it,” she adds.
Stone committed to set up an appointment with the schools before the next meeting will be held between SRAC and the public.
