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.” Continue Reading