Comet Indoor Sport Centre faces maintenance neglect

Comet Indoor Sport Centre, a key hub for community sports and youth development in Boksburg, is facing growing concerns over its deteriorating facilities, leaving sports enthusiasts and club operators frustrated.

The centre, which accommodates over 1 000 people weekly, has become an essential part of the local sporting community, hosting a variety of activities including gymnastics, cricket, and martial arts.
However, despite its heavy usage and the rent paid to the City of Ekurhuleni, maintenance issues remain largely unaddressed.

Jackie Cilliers, who runs a gymnastics club at the centre, shared her frustrations about the conditions that she and her students must endure.
“We love bringing our athletes here because it’s central and has the space we need, but the facilities are in a bad state.
“The taps often don’t work, bathrooms are not maintained, while some lights are out. The roofs leak during rainy days, and it’s really hard to provide a safe environment for our young athletes,” she said.

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Jackie explained that while the centre charges rent for the use of its facilities, however requests for repairs and maintenance are frequently ignored.
“We pay rent, but when we raise concerns, it’s like talking to a wall. Nothing gets done, and it affects the kids’ training and our ability to run the club efficiently,” she added.

She also highlighted problems with waste collection, which she said is inconsistent and has led to rodent infestations.
“The braai area is also not properly maintained. We do what we can ourselves now, but ultimately, we want the City to provide the services it’s supposed to,” Jackie said.

She added that she has been using the centre for over 25 years, and many clubs have already left due to its poor condition.
“We don’t want to see the centre abandoned again, left unused like it was before,” she said.

One of the parents, Nomcebo Zwane, echoed these concerns, warning that the current state of disrepair threatens not only the quality of sporting programmes but also the safety of participants.
“Activities provided here are great for the youth, and they also keep them out of the streets. However, the state of the facilities is concerning.”

The Boksburg Advertiser reached out to the City of Ekurhuleni for comment on the state of the Comet Indoor Sport Centre and did not receive a response by the time of publication.

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