Free State
South Africa
Sector
Infrastructure
Tourism & Leisure
The Free State, located in the heart of South Africa, remains a relatively untapped jewel. Bordering six of the eight other provinces, it also provides convenient access to transport links to anywhere in the country.
As part of the province’s efforts to capitalise on the growth in tourism, the province is keen to start upgrading and promoting the tourism infrastructure within the region.
The Free State provincial government believes the region can become a destination for various tourism initiatives and the province is keen to start developing the necessary infrastructure to facilitate this growth.
The Free State Investment Promotion Agency has identified three projects for investors to get involved in the funding and upgrade of new facilities:
- Sports Academy at the historic Schoeman Park Golf Club
- Events Park and/or business facilities on old racecourse grounds
- Matjhabeng Tourism and Entertainment Complex
Schoeman Park Golf Club
Bloemfontein’s Schoeman Park Golf Club was originally built by Scottish railway workers in 1904 and boasts a number of SA professional tour events, amateur and provincial tournaments.
It is envisaged that a Sports Academy can be developed as part of the Schoeman Park Golf Club. The academy can be either sport-focused or integrate schools of sport for which facilities already exist.
This will involve the development of boarding facilities, lecture halls, an audio visual room, a gymnasium, medical facilities and other necessary facilities.
If a sports academy is not developed a medical sport centre can be developed at the golf course – representing an exclusive medical centre focused on addressing sport related issues and injures – physiotherapy, acupuncture, etc.
To find out more information about the Schoeman Park Golf Club and how you can get involved in this opportunity, contact Lesley-Anne Welman on lesley@fipa-sa.co.za.
Proposals for racecourse land
Various business proposals have been developed for the land on which the Bloemfontein racecourse is currently located. The Free State Investment Promotion Agency believes there are at least two possibilities for the land:
- Residential Estate
- Sunnyside Events Park – including a monument, conference facilities, playground for children, parking and braai facilities, an amphitheatre, and a man-made dam.
Opportunities on the land:
- A function venue – could include a beauty spa providing health and beauty services, conference facilities, accommodation chalets and a restaurant
- A residential component – middle-to-higher income in terms of plots
- Current light industrial/commercial uses
- The proposed events park
To find out more information about the racecourse land and how you can become involved in the opportunities on offer, contact Lesley-Anne Welman on lesley@fipa-sa.co.za.
Matjhabeng Tourism and Entertainment Complex
Elsewhere in the Free State, there is also a proposal by the Welkom Tourism Development known as the Matjhabeng Tourism and Entertainment and Amusement Complex.
The opportunity is to get involved with the building of an Amusement Park, which is expected to be located in the Goldfields region (Lejweleputswa).
It is hoped the Amusement Park will reinvigorate the area as a tourism and recreation destination by establishing a Water World, Underground Hotel, Mining Museum Visitors Centre, Cultural Village, Waterfront Shopping Mall, a Golf Estate and a Five Star Hotel.
These are just a selection of the tourism infrastructure proposals and opportunities currently on offer in the Free State. To find out more about the opportunities available contact FIPA directly.
For more information about these and other property development opportunities in the Free State, contact the Free State Investment Promotion Agency.
Name: Lesley-Anne Welman
Tel: +27 51 410 0885
Email: lesley@fipa-sa.co.za
