Engineers and contractors have moved onto site to begin construction of Mossel Bay’s new FIFA-standard football pitch on the Extension 23 Fields – a significant step in readying the town for the 2010 World Cup, and one that has been applauded by the Local and the South African Football Associations.
A representative of the Municipality of Mossel Bay, Shane de Bruyn, handed the site to Nic van der Merwe of Entsha Henra contractors, and Jan Brink of SSI Civil Engineers and Environmental Consultants, on Friday, August 14th.
During the handover, Mr. Brink said that the project would see the replacement of two existing, under-sized fields with one full-sized, FIFA-standard soccer pitch
He said that the surface of the existing field was below standard, “so we’ll remove all the grass, and the topsoil, and then we’ll reshape the field and install irrigation and sub-surface irrigation systems.
“Then we’ll do layer works and replace the topsoil before we plant the new grass.”
He said that the fields currently had an east-west orientation, but that the new pitch would be oriented to face north-south.
Mr. Brink said that maintenance after completion would be the responsibility of the municipality, but, “we’re installing an irrigation system with time switches,” to ensure that the grass will be kept in world class condition.
Mr. Harris thanked the Garden Route Casino Community Trust for its substantial contribution towards the construction of change-room facilities – which have been lacking since the fields were first developed.
Speaking on behalf of the Trust, casino manager Robin Seabrook said that the funds had been donated because, “our community trust is here specifically to uplift the community of the Greater Mossel Bay Area, and the upgrading of sporting facilities is one of the things we’re committed to.”
Elvis Shishana, President of the South African Football Association’s Eden Region (SAFA Eden – which boasts about 13,000 registered players and officials), said, “this project is quite a significant moment for me, for the town and for the region.”
He said the presence of a FIFA-standard pitch would add much value to the Garden Route and Klein Karoo (or Eden) region – especially in terms of the development of football.
“The idea is to be able to host the teams coming for 2010, and, beyond 2010, to host big guns like PSL teams.”
Future plans, he said, included the construction of spectator seating, offices for the headquarters of the local association, and, in time, an artificial pitch. SAFA Eden is presently awaiting the outcome of an application to the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund in this regard.
Mr. Harris said that the construction of the new pitch was vital to the town’s strategy for improving social conditions through sport.
“It’s very important that our sports people – and particularly young people – should have facilities of this standard,” he said. ““You can’t expect to produce tomorrow’s champions on dusty, sub-standard fields and this pitch will serve the legacy of 2010 in the best possible way – by providing a conduit through which top talent can be recognized, nurtured, and developed.”
Mr. Harris paid tribute to the council for its commitment to soccer, and for making substantial funds available for the development of the pitch.
“The presence of the right playing surface is vital to meeting FIFA’s standards for providing training facilities for the upcoming World Cup,” he said.
Contractors Entsha Henra expect to complete the new pitch by the end of November this year, which will allow a full summer for the grass to develop before being used by a National Federation team in Mossel Bay from May next year.
