Digging up answers for sports

Municipal shortcomings, or residents aiming to complain?

On one hand, the sporting community is still asking questions of the municipality, while officials in Community Services believe residents are leaving them out of the loop.

The debate spilled onto social media earlier this week.

Happenings at the municipal sport facilities were also brought up in a meeting with Head of Parks, Recreation and Cleansing on Monday morning, Vish Govender.

He called for clubs to respect that facility usage is the right of everyone.

“Clubs do not own the facilities and have to come to an agreement with other codes.”

Highlighting a series of upgrades to both Arbor Park and Paradise grounds, Mr Govender urged the cricketing fraternity in particular, to form working relations with the municipality.

In his words, his office was accessible to everyone.

“We have met with cricket officials recently – why are local clubs forgetting the upgrades we have done?”

Among listed revamps to the facilities were the fencing of the Arbor Park grounds, repairs to the screens, the posting of a security guard and the fixing of the cricket nets.

The Paradise grounds have also benefited from repairs to the nets, field and club house.

“In fact, the whole budget for sports facilities went towards cricket. Where do the soccer players have matches?”

Mr Govender continued to say the municipal booking log had to be respected, and asked clubs go through the due processes to ensure problems were reported to the authorities first.

“Our job is to serve the community and I welcome any SMSes to my cellphone – 082 887 5648.”

Concluding, Mr Govender explained the disused building at the corner of the Paradise grounds would be demolished in the near future.