Decade-long delays frustrate efforts to reopen St Andrews driving range

Ward 104 Clr Tracey Lourenco has raised serious concerns over the continued closure and deterioration of the St Andrews driving range, a municipal property that has remained vacant for more than a decade amid repeated tender processes that have yet to yield a successful outcome.

Lourenco said she has spent years engaging with the City of Ekurhuleni over what she describes as ongoing delays, poor communication and lost revenue opportunities linked to the site.

“These problems have been ongoing for over a decade. Every time there seems to be progress, there is always an excuse as to why the tender is not awarded,” she said.

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According to Lourenco, she has repeatedly engaged municipal officials and departments in an attempt to resolve the matter, including submitting emails, making regular phone calls and organising a petition to push for action.

“I have sent endless emails, we did a petition, issued press releases, and Real Estate Oversight also conducted a site visit,” she said.

“Follow-ups with municipal officials have taken place every second week, but residents have continued to receive poor responses and excuses.”

She confirmed engagements with the City’s corporate and legal departments, as well as several officials and the department’s head of department.

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While some written responses have been received, Lourenco said the explanations have remained largely unchanged.

“We were told they are waiting for the bid committee. Then there were valuation issues. We were informed in March 2026 that the tender was not far from being awarded,” she said.

The councillor also questioned why the facility has continued to deteriorate despite previous municipal investment in upgrades and ongoing security.

“A few years ago, they spent a few million rand on upgrades, including a new fence and general maintenance on the building,” she said.

“Despite 24-hour security, the fence was stolen, and the building is now in poor condition.”

Lourenco said the prolonged vacancy has resulted in significant financial losses for the municipality while a once-promising facility continues to decay.

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“The City of Ekurhuleni has lost hundreds of thousands in rental income over the many years this property has been left to decay,” she said.

She added that her office continues to receive regular calls from interested parties wanting to tender for the facility, and that residents are kept informed through monthly service delivery updates.

“The municipality has reportedly attributed the delays to repeated property valuations, bid committee processes and ongoing tender procedures.

“However, frustration within the community continues to grow as no final outcome has been announced,” she said.

Lourenco said she intends to continue escalating the matter until the facility is restored and returned to productive use for residents.

City of Ekurhuleni spokesperson Zweli Dlamini confirmed the City is aware of the condition of the St Andrews driving range.

He said the Development Planning and Real Estate Department (Property Management Division, Kempton Park CCA) is responsible for leasing the property, while the SRAC Department handles maintenance until a lease is awarded.

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Dlamini said two items were previously submitted to the tender office but were referred back due to compliance issues. He added that the Kempton Park CCA is finalising another submission for the tender office to enable the leasing process to proceed.

He said the City has not received formal offers from prospective tenants or operators.

“The City is currently awaiting revised comments from Finance and Risk and Legal Services Departments in order for the item to be processed by the Tender Office,” he said.

Dlamini added that once awarded, the successful bidder will be responsible for the management and operation of the facility.

He also confirmed that EMPD has deployed security personnel to help protect the property against vandalism.