Today a sod-turning ceremony marked the official start of construction on the long-awaited Pine View Park Sportsground in Grabouw. The project valued at R8.5 million is a significant milestone and marks the culmination of years of planning and collaboration to enhance the sporting infrastructure within the community.
This sports ground development project represents a monumental investment in the future of Grabouw’s sporting landscape, which has seen many phenomenal results over the past year alone. Designed to accommodate a diverse range of sporting codes, the facility promises to become a hub of sporting excellence, fostering the growth and development of local talent across various disciplines including rugby, soccer and cricket.
Over the years, Grabouw has emerged as a breeding ground for exceptional sporting talent, with individuals and teams excelling in various competitions at regional, national, and even international levels. The municipality recognizes the importance of providing world-class facilities to support these athletes in their pursuit of excellence.
In addition to catering to the needs of competitive sportsman and women, the sports ground will serve as a communal space for residents of all ages to engage in physical activity, promote health and wellness, and foster a sense of community spirit. The development is poised to become a focal point for social gatherings, events, and recreational pursuits, enriching the quality of life for generations to come.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Mayor Mary Liebenberg said it is an honour for her to be part of a project that has been years in the making.
“It is wonderful when we can see a project materialise, but for me the best part is that there will be jobs for our communities and people will be able to put food on the table. It is also great to hear that the municipality will be appointing local subcontractors and buying construction materials locally in Grabouw. That means it is a big investment in Grabouw, our people and our businesses,” she said.
“I know it has been a lot of work to get us to this point, but we are here. To the contractors I wish you well and the best of luck. I’ve seen many projects where millions of rand were paid and when you come back the work is either not finished or the quality of material was not up to standard, so I trust that this will not be the case here and that we as a municipality will be pleased once the project is completed.”
The appointed contractors will in the coming weeks set up their site and will commence with work during this month. The project will run in three phases, with phase one due to be completed by December 2024.
Phase one will include the rectification of the boundary wall and installation of access gates, installation of sub-soil and stormwater drainage and an irrigation system, reshaping, grassing and fencing of two playing fields as well as the laying of a new bulli cricket pitch. There will also be containerized ablution and changeroom facilities that will be constructed on-site as well as the demolition of the existing ablution structure.
The addition of spectator stands, high mast lighting, permanent ablution facilities, an upgraded tennis court and upgraded netball courts will all form part of the next two phases.
Municipal Manager Wilfred Solomons-Johannes thanked officials and engineers for the hard work that has led to this momentous occasion. He also emphasized that while the municipality is excited to start with the project, the success of this transformative project relies on the active participation and support of the community.
“As we embark on this journey together, we urge residents to contribute their ideas, input, and enthusiasm to ensure the project’s success. Every individual has a vital role to play in shaping the future of Grabouw’s sporting landscape and if we don’t work together, we will run into more challenges and delays that will jeopardise the funding of this and future projects. I will personally be keeping a close eye on the progress of this project, but the responsibility lies with all of us as councillors, administration, community and contractors to make this project a success,” he said.
ENDS
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Issued by Theewaterskloof Communications Department.