New hope for sports grounds?

Will new fencing save the Arbor Park grounds from destruction?

Of late, the grounds have been the focus of continued complaints from residents, in particular those who have relocated, or are forced to make use of failing facilities.

The dangers uneven surfaces pose to players, is widely known.

Under increased pressure from the sporting community to react, the Municipality began with the fencing off of the grounds most recently.

This was addressed in the capital budget, through the Integrated Development Plan (IDP).

Head of Parks, Recreation and Cleansing, Vish Govender said current work at the grounds included repairs to cricket screens and the ablution blocks.

Reportedly, gates will be installed in the near future.

“General maintenance will continue as per the operational budget,” he stated.

While the response from the Municipality is good news to some, tennis enthusiasts opposite Oak Street find themselves woeful at the decline of their facility.

A letter to the Editor highlighted the decline of the Arbor Park courts.

“They are cracking and fencing is falling. The tennis club committee has written many letters and approached Newcastle officials and councillors to assist, with no help forthcoming.”

Noting upgrades taking place at the Ingagane tennis courts, the writer added only tennis players had achieved gold at the SALGA Games consecutively.

In this vein, he pleaded for sponsors who could help with resurfacing of the court.

“There are about 80 children who play over the weekends, but the condition is horrible.”

Mr Govender touched on the matter, noting the tennis courts would be addressed through next year’s capital budget, owing to limited funding in this.

In the meantime, residents continue to voice themselves.

“Yes, it’s time for the Municipality to do something. It’s in a bad state, not playable. Please fix it,” commented Henkie van Rooyen on Facebook, in response to a previous article regarding the ruinous state of the Arbor Park cricket pitch.