Bob van Reenen’s R10 million revamp

Excitement is in the air after official news that the once state-of-the-art sports facility Bob van Reenen Stadium will be returned it to its former glory by September if all goes according to plan.

The NEWS together with other members of the media were invited to an onsite inspection of the stadium where R10-million was budgeted by the Gauteng Provincial Department to revamp the dilapidated stadium after it has been in an unused state for more than six years after plans to build a new R1,2 billion stadium for the Kaizer Chiefs Soccer Club never materialised.

Gauteng Premier Nomvula Mokonyane, Lebogang Maile MEC for sports, recreation, arts and culture as well as Dan Mahitisho the municipal manager at Mogale City Local Municipality and Annah Setswalo-Moja a member of the mayoral committee visited the stadium that is being renovated by Tauris Garden Trading 500cc.
Maile says that the stadiums capacity will not be increased, as it will only be restored to what is was in the past and the money will be used solely for that purpose.

“In the first phase of renovations the tracks as well as the rugby and cricket fields needs attention. In the meantime we are looking at erecting palisade fencing around the stadium, renovating the clubhouses, press box and ablution facilities.

“The grandstands will be renovated as some of them do need minor renovations. We will be building a gym and repaint the stadium.
In the second phase they will be focusing on the sewage system, basic electrification as well as the installation of high mast lights so that athletes can make use of the facility during night time.

Mokonyane told reporters that she hopes that the renovations will mean that there will no longer be open letter to her requesting answers about the stadium.

“We did make a commitment and the Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation together with Mogale City Local Municipality have heeded the call by the greatest concern of the province that this is a facility that we want to rebuild in the interest of sports development for the province.”
She says that it is a facility they as the province pride themselves in.

“It is a multipurpose facility, but is also speaks of our intention to revitalize the entire Krugersdorp. We have already made a commitment about the amount of money and we believe through the reconstruction of this site we will be able to interact with various stakeholders to make this facility usable for everyone.”

She says this include sport commitment programmes which will target schools in terms of sports development as the stadium used to be a precinct for sports competitions.

“We want to bring that back because I am sure you know that school sport has become a very important aspect in the programme of the government.”

Mokonyane further says that communities from the rural areas and the townships from the neighbouring area will not be forgotten.

“The imminent short vicinity to Ruimsig Stadium give us an opportunity in terms of reclaiming our ability to provide better facilities for our athletes including international athletes.

“This is not just an ordinary facility, this is a world-class facility that we want to restore so that we as government can focus on the development of our youth and most importantly making sure Gauteng position itself as the home of champions.”

Mokonyane says she would like to thank everyone who have been tolerant and understandable about what was going on.

“This is a process of the Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation in partnership with Mogale City Local Municipality.”
Questions whether the stadiums name will be changed Maile told reporters that they do not know who Bob van Reenen is.

“I am sure we do not want to make those announcements without applying our minds that could spark unnecessary controversy. We need to consult with the municipality and the locals, because maybe people like Bob van Reenen and he was a hero.”

• Bob van Reenen was the Transvaal Provincial Athletic Administrator.