Maintenance and safety problems at the Westdene Recreation Centre are limiting the facility’s ability to accommodate users and generate revenue, while repeated community complaints have prompted renewed efforts to improve its condition.
The centre manager, who asked not to be named, said the lack of upkeep was among the biggest challenges facing the facility, with some of its spaces unable to be rented out because they do not meet occupational safety standards. The centre has also been waiting for major repairs. According to the manager, the work has now been approved and a budget has been allocated, but contractors have yet to be appointed.

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The delay means the work cannot proceed, while the manager fears the allocated funding could eventually be redirected if implementation takes too long. The impact is also being felt by residents who want to use the centre’s facilities. The manager said the recreation centre has spaces, including a basketball court, tennis court, and fields, that could provide valuable recreational opportunities, particularly for young people.

Ward 69 councillor Genevieve Sherman said residents had repeatedly raised concerns about the condition of the facility. That prompted her to seek outside assistance through the Helen Zille care campaign initiative, which brought teams to the centre for a large-scale clean-up. The councillor said the clean-up was necessary because the facility’s condition had become a concern for the surrounding community, but she also acknowledged that cleaning alone could not resolve the more serious problems.

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The manager said the centre had struggled to get intervention for maintenance requests, despite attempts to communicate and arrange meetings. This has created a situation where outside organisations and stakeholders have stepped in to assist with the upkeep of the municipal facility. The manager welcomed the recent clean-up, describing the assistance as a godsend, but said it was difficult knowing that external groups had to intervene.

Sherman said the clean-up would not necessarily be a once-off intervention, pointing to other areas where spaces had returned to a poor condition after previously being cleaned. For the recreation centre, however, the longer-term challenge extends beyond keeping the grounds clean. Until outstanding repairs are completed and the facility meets the necessary safety requirements, its ability to accommodate users and generate income remains restricted.

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