Bob now a jungle

Bob van Reenen Stadium is once again making headlines after a viral video exposed its worsening state. Once a cherished community hub, the stadium now stands as a shadow of its former glory, overtaken by nature and neglect.

• Also read: Poor Bob! Even the fencing is being targeted

In response, Ward councillor Mark Trump invited the Krugersdorp News to see the stadium firsthand. Upon entry, the transformation is shocking – what was once a vibrant sports facility now resembles an overgrown jungle, with vegetation reaching several meters high.

The Gymnasium: A forgotten legacy

The gymnasium, once a thriving space for athletes, is now in a dire state. In the viral video, a large body of water is visible, confirmed by former gymnastics club owner Linda Coetzer to have once been a foam pit where gymnasts trained. Nearby, a leaking water pipe has been temporarily plugged with a stick, yet water continues to seep onto the floor.

“It’s heartbreaking to see the stadium in this condition,” Coetzer lamented.

This was meant for the entire community, but now it’s falling apart, and no one is doing anything to restore it.”

The rugby club: A hollowed-out gathering place

Echoes of the past linger in the rugby clubhouse, where fans once gathered to celebrate victories. Now, the wooden floor is rotting and unstable, posing a safety risk to anyone who walks on it. The roof over the stairway to the upper floor has collapsed, leaving debris scattered across the ground. Even the old braai area has been swallowed by overgrown weeds.

Athletic facilities: A stadium in decay

Arguably, the stadium’s most crucial section, the athletic facilities, has suffered severe neglect. The pavilion’s seating is either missing or rusted beyond repair. Vegetation has taken over – creeping through the tartan track, filling the long jump pits, and spreading unchecked across the entire facility. Once-busy clubrooms now stand empty, their walls crumbling brick by brick. Rust, peeling paint, and decay dominate what remains.

Theft and vandalism: Stripping the stadium bare

Over the years, the stadium has been relentlessly stripped of its infrastructure. Electrical components, including copper wiring, switches, floodlights, and DB panels, have been stolen. Sanitation facilities have fared no better – metal taps, showerheads, basins, and toilets have been removed or destroyed. Lockers and benches from the changing rooms are gone, leaving behind only rusting doors, broken rails, and fading signs.

Municipality responds

In light of the stadium’s dire state, the News reached out to the Mogale City Local Municipality (MCLM) for comment.

MCLM communications officer Adrian Amod acknowledged the stadium’s condition, citing multiple contributing factors.

The current state of the facility is due to a combination of prolonged disuse, rampant vandalism, and theft,” he explained.

“Additionally, recent adverse weather conditions have delayed efforts to cut the overgrown grass. While other facilities in the city require urgent maintenance, Bob van Reenen Stadium will be included once the updated grass-cutting schedule is in place.”

Budget discrepancies and unfulfilled promises

Reports from the News indicate that in the 2021/ 22 Proposed Capital Budget, MCLM had allocated R1m from the Integrated Urban Development Grant (IUDG) and over R14m from the 2023/ 24 budget for stadium repairs.

However, Amod refuted these claims, stating, “The approved 2021/ 22 Capital Budget did not include a final allocation for the stadium. The mentioned IUDG grant funding was never assigned, and due to financial constraints, no restoration work has taken place.

The stadium’s refurbishment would require a substantial investment, which has not yet been secured.”

A stadium left to crumble

Once a place of community pride, Bob van Reenen Stadium now stands as a monument to neglect. Without urgent intervention and funding, its future remains uncertain, and the hope of restoration grows dimmer with each passing year.