Doug steps down from Paddadam Project
The restoration of the Paddadam was by no means an easy undertaking and it was Doug's relentless perseverance to the project that has uplifted the park to its current state, with the assistance of the community.
THE name ‘Doug Grewar’ has become synonymous with the Paddadam Project in recent times, specifically as the driving force behind the restoration of the grounds from a neglected eyesore on the Vryheid landscape to a popular recreational spot for locals to enjoy.
The restoration of the Paddadam was by no means an easy undertaking and it was Doug’s relentless perseverance to the project that has uplifted the park to its current state, with the assistance of the community.
Earlier this year, a committee was formed in order to ensure that the community would be permitted to continue with the upkeep and maintenance of the park and its facilities as the municipality had failed to do for so long.
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On June 10, locals who have been following the progress of the Paddadam Project since its inception in 2014, were hit with a bombshell as Doug Grewar announced on social media that he was resigning from the Paddadam Association Committee.
“I have resigned from the Paddadam Association Committee today,” said the post, “and will no longer be doing any regular work at Paddadam. Oom Gert Fray will continue to open the dam over weekends only. There are not enough paying visitors during the week to cover the gate man’s wages.”
“I was happy enough to contribute three months of my time to the project in 2014, 2015 and again in 2016, but by October 2016 we had completed more than our target.
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I wanted to walk away but was forced to stay on site because there was no response from the ALM [AbaQulusi Local Municipality]. Another nine months have passed since October making it a year that I have been tied down to Paddadam, seven days a week.”
“My health is deteriorating and I am fatigued,” adds Doug. “I have therefore resigned from the Paddadam Association and any further work at Paddadam Park. We have a committee headed up by Dawid Beetge who is a strong chairman so I wish them the best of luck in carrying this project forward. I am still on hand to assist with any problems but no more full time work.”
