WATCH: Push to restore abandoned PAM Brink Stadium
It is hoped that restoration could see the stadium return to its glory days.
New development is everywhere in Springs, and this growth will likely continue. The Springs Town Bowling Club manager, Hannes Gouws (59), aims to restore the old PAM Brink Stadium.
He approached the DA Shadow MMC of Sports Recreation Arts and Culture, Dean Stone, and they started a petition demanding the CoE review their decision to demolish the stadium.
The action came after allegations that the stadium in Geduld would become a private cemetery.
“From the moment I heard about the cemetery, I was immediately against it,” Stone told the Advertiser.
“If you look at Olympia Park, the rugby club, the bowling club, it is sports everywhere. The stadium must remain a sports ground.”
According to him, a cemetery in a sports area makes no sense. An online campaign started last year to save the stadium.
Along with the campaign, hard-copy petitions went around, and over 1 000 petitions were signed.
These petitions were recently handed to the Department Of Sport and Recreation and the city council.
“The handover aims to show the municipality we are against a private cemetery. We want to form a public-private partnership with the council for us to take over the stadium and maintain it,” Gouws said.
Just over two years ago, Gouws took over the bowling club and restored it. He has the same goal in mind for PAM Brink Stadium and the rest of the sports grounds in the area.
@springsadvertiser New hope for PAM Brink Stadium. PamBrinkStadium #Springs Ekurhuleni
“Our priority is the stadium. After that, we want to look at the netball courts and the rest of the sports grounds,” he added.
They aim for a 100-year lease agreement with the CoE.
“We will fight for this agreement. We are seriously committing to this. We will get the ball rolling as soon as I have the lease in my hand,” Gouws said.
They intend to host school sports and major sports events at the stadium and want to involve all of Ekurhuleni as far as sporting events are concerned.
“Sports must go back to the way it was. Today’s children only hear about the great sports events that once took place at this stadium. We want to get it back so that everyone can experience it again,” he stated.
They are also considering fencing the sports grounds and enclosing the area with boom gates to ensure safety and prevent possible vandalism. Stone said sports facilities make a difference in communities – they look attractive and provide much entertainment.
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