A benchmark proposal at the Paddadam to honour Doug Grewar
Doug Grewar, the 77-year-old driving force behind the operation, has put immeasurable man-hours into restoring the park to an attraction that people actually want to visit.
WHEN one thinks of the Paddadam, arguably one of the most successful community projects in Vryheid in recent memory, it’s almost impossible not to picture the stalwart behind the transformation of the previously long-neglected recreational park.
Doug Grewar, the 77-year-old driving force behind the operation, has put immeasurable man-hours into restoring the park to an attraction that people actually want to visit, a far cry from its former state when, prior to the initiation of the clean up, it was a run down cesspool of filth and disrepair, an eyesore on the Vryheid landscape and a breeding ground for criminal activity.
The project began in 2014 and has come a very long way since then, with members of the community pitching in to assist to the tune of approximately R750 000 in donations of cash, labour and equipment, thanks to Doug’s exemplary leadership in this endeavour.
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Starting out with only a handful of labourers manually clearing out the invasive Kariba Weed from the dam, among them William Black, Doug would eventually inspire locals to lend a hand with massive earthmoving equipment as the task took shape and the community could see that this would be a success. And it certainly was…
With the restoration of the Paddadam, the park has become a major attraction, even setting the scene for several well-supported market days and a host of other events.
“I think we as a community, both new and old, past and present, should honour the efforts of Doug Grewar,” suggested former Vryheid resident, William Black, who played his part in the onset of the project, “and his work at the Paddadam, by putting a bench there with his name on it! I’m willing to donate R100 towards this cause, who’s with me?” he posted on social media on February 28.
By March 1, Duncan Kelly, Andrè Rheder, Elize Tschirpig, Joalien Oosthuizen and Maggie Steyn had already pledged their support by adding to Mr Black’s original R100 pledge and Mr Black proposed that a request be made to any local companies who could manufacture an adequate bench with Doug Grewar’s name on it in thanks for his outstanding work at the Paddadam.
“I’m all the way in Johannesburg,” he stated. “Is there someone local who can make the call to get the quote?”
If you would like to add to the growing collection to honour Doug Grewar with a bench at the Paddadam with his name on it as a token of appreciation and a tribute to his gallant efforts and unequivocal impact on the beautifully reestablished park, contact William Black on 066 463 2127.
“Don’t worry about the bench,” comments Doug, jokingly, we assume. “Oom Gert has already made me a gravestone…” he stated, attaching a picture of a plaque with the words, “Thank you, Doug Grewar, for this lovely park.”
“I couldn’t have done anything without the magnificent support and generosity of so many people in Vryheid, who donated money, materials, manpower and machinery to a total value of around R750, 000. I cannot believe that we actually achieved so much.”
