New lease on life for old club
PARKWOOD - The sport development company bid for and was awarded the tender for the club by Johannesburg Property Company.
According to Friends in Sport manager Julian Mixon, the club – which was previously a haunt of vagrants and strewn with filth – will initially be used for five-a-side soccer and seven-a-side netball teams.
“The 10-year lease is for the four courts and the club house. We will convert two of the courts to multipurpose sports courts by putting down astroturf, and will neaten up the others but leave them as is for now,” said Mixon.
He added that the remaining courts may be developed, depending on demand, and that the club’s perimeter will be fenced off to prevent vandalism.
“Before work commenced, I approached the vagrants who lived in the club house and told them about my plans. They were understanding and left, but returned the next day, so I had to get Metro police to remove them,” he said.
Mixon then began the clean-up. An eight-tonne truck removed two full loads of rubbish and human waste. The wiring and plumbing will also be replaced, in line with Mixon’s plan to refurbish the existing structures.
“Once complete, the club will offer employment opportunities. We’ll need referees and coaches for the sports. We will also have a small shop with refreshments, not including alcohol, and sporting apparel for sale,” he said.
In addition to the sporting codes offered by the club, the premises will also be available to schools in the area on certain days.
Mixon said he hopes to open the club with a sport tournament in September.
The 30-year-old chartered accountant founded Friends in Sport in 2010, and said that he wanted to combine his tertiary education with his passion for sport. He added, “I knew this project would happen.”
Details: 082-211-2764; info@friendsinsport.co.za
