Giyani revives long-stalled Gawula Sports Centre project
The Gawula Sports Centre revamp includes a new soccer pitch, rugby field, running track and full electrification, with completion expected within 10 months.
LIMPOPO – Greater Giyani Municipality has handed over the site for the refurbishment of the long-stalled Gawula Sports Centre, raising hopes that the facility will finally be completed after years of delays and complaints from the community.
The site handover, which took place on Tuesday at Headman Kraal in the presence of community stakeholders, marked another step in the municipality’s efforts to complete stalled projects across the municipality.
Years of neglect left facility vandalised
The Gawula Sports Centre was among several projects that had stalled, leaving the facility incomplete and unused for an extended period.
During that time, parts of the centre were vandalised, turning what was intended to be a community sporting facility into a white elephant.
New pitches, water tank part of upgrade
Meanwhile, the refurbishment will include the development of a new soccer pitch and rugby field, both planted with kikuyu grass, as well as the installation of an irrigation system and an elevated steel water storage tank.
Other planned improvements include a gravel running track, the refurbishment of the grandstand and combi courts, and upgrades to the ablution facilities and changing rooms.
Parking, lighting also on the cards
The project will also include the development of parking facilities, improved fencing, refurbishment of the guardhouse, full electrification of the facility and the installation of high-mast lights.
All these improvements are expected to take 10 months to complete from the date of the site handover.
Mayor calls for community cooperation
Speaking during the handover, Mayor Thandi Zitha appealed to the Gawula community to cooperate with the appointed contractor and other stakeholders throughout the construction period.
“I appeal to the Gawula community to work closely with the appointed contractor throughout the construction period. Residents must cooperate with the contractor, municipal officials and all other relevant stakeholders because the success of this project does not depend only on the municipality and the construction team, but also on the community that will ultimately benefit from this facility,” she said.
