Goby urges community to sign petition to help Lake Club

Ward 28 councillor Mary Goby urged Benonians to sign a petition that calls on the City of Ekurhuleni to consider the proposed long-term leasing of the Benoni lakes golf course to Lake Club.

This comes after the expiration of the current lease between the municipality and the club.

Goby argued that the facility was important to ward 28 and should therefore be preserved. She told the paper that they only found out about the City’s intention through a newspaper advert.

“It turns out they want to do a long-term lease agreement. Hopefully with all this fighting we are doing at the moment, the agreement will be for Lake Club because they deserve it,” Goby added.

She told the paper that the facility was rezoned for recreational purposes. Therefore, a complex or office park can’t be built.

“We are busy with a motivation to keep the golf course as is with more prospects of including more activities. We are all working to get people to sign the motivation. The club is getting letters in place for distribution before the public participation date.”

The municipality confirmed to the City Times that the lease agreement with Lake Club has expired. It said, however, the club has applied for a new lease.

“The lease agreement entered into with the Benoni Lake Club has since expired by way of effluxion of time.

“The lessee has since applied for a new lease and expressed the intention to expand activities on the property, which application is currently receiving attention from the City of Ekurhuleni.”

The City added that it has decided on a public participation process before making a decision.

“The Council resolved that public participation be conducted in respect of the new proposed lease by the Benoni Lake Club. The said public consultation process is scheduled for April 4 at 17:30 at the Benoni Council Chambers’ admin building.”

The municipality said the current lease, which was entered into in 1987 with the Benoni City Council, had no conditions of renewal.

“The Benoni Town Council entered into a 25-year lease agreement with the Benoni Lake Club allowing the club to run recreational and related operations on the facility.”

When asked about the kind development being considered, the municipality said it intends to keep the facility as is and will allow the expansion of further activities going forward.

“The City is considering making more land available for the purposes of recreational activities within the vicinity of the club on a long term basis.”

Rachel Howard from Lake Club told the paper they reapplied to have their lease extended in 2015. She added that over the last few years, they have done major upgrades to the facility.

“Golf courses in South Africa in the past were given a 99 year lease on the land. The land is zoned and recognized as sport and recreation only.

“In 2015 the club reapplied to have its lease extended. We have requested permission to fence in the top section making it more secure for residents as well as our men, women and children playing golf.

“Over the last six years the club has renovated and upgraded the facilities. We have also added the new soccer facilities and initiated upgrades to the club house as well as installing a pipeline to help with the irrigation.

“Our top section was previously a dump site. It was covered and reconstruction was done to convert it into a golf course. We host many functions and conferences to the public that make us a central meeting place,” Howard said.

Goby has pleaded with residents to sign the petition on the following link: www.petitions.net/ward_28_petitions_the_city_of_ekurhuleni_to_consider_the_long_term_leasing_of_the_benoni_golf_course_ground

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