The Nelson Mandela Bay’s sport clubs and schools are set to benefit from a multi-million-rand development which is currently taking place at the Gqeberha Sports Field in Walmer.
This comes after construction work of a new hall, ablution facilities and change rooms resumed last month following some delays that affected the project including the COVID-19 regulations. The new facility will give support to the two football and one rugby fields already built to offer budding sports stars, proper infrastructure to nurture their talents and contribute to social development.
Mayoral Committee Member for Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture, Helga van Staaden said following a site visit on Wednesday, she was happy with the progress report which indicated the work could be completed around July this year.
“The contractor officially started with the work in January following a break in December. This is a 16-month project and R11 million has been invested to build this facility. The foundation phase is progressing well and currently the project is ahead of schedule. The current contractor appointed is making good progress and since the resumption of the project, there has been no disruptions.”
“The soccer and rugby clubs will benefit from this development, including surrounding schools. The project has also helped with some job creation and we do not take that for granted especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. As the City we will play our part to protect this facility, we already have a secure fence around the field but we will need residents to take ownership of these community facilities as they are there to help them. We cannot keep rebuilding what was built before, there is no money for that and we urge our residents to work with us,” she said.
MMC van Staaden was joined by Ward 3 Cllr David Hayselden during the visit who said he was happy the work was progressing well, as the project was long overdue.
The facility will cater for people living with disabilities, referees and the public.
Ward-based Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMME’s) have been allocated work to the value of 30% of the contract value.
Local SMME chairperson Lukhanyo Hanana said: “Walmer has been struggling to have such facilities, this should have happened some time ago but due to COVID-19 there were some delays. We were happy when the project restarted, we were happy for sport development for the City as a whole. Children will now play here, and it will be the first time for the City to bring this professional development in Walmer, Gqeberha,”
“All sporting codes were involved in this development, everyone is part of security, everyone wants to see their children playing here and it is the community involvement that has ensured that the project runs smoothly.”