Region
Africa
KwaZulu-Natal
South Africa
uThungulu District Municipality

Sector
Infrastructure
Sport

Summary:

A multi-purpose sports stadium has been approved for the uThungulu District Municipality, and funding for the 'Minimum facility' has already been secured. Additional funding is required to upgrade the stadium to the 'Preferred facility' that the municipality has envisaged. In all, R166-million is required.

Contact
Ms Anushka Makka

Email
anushka@uthungulu.co.za

Tel
+27 35 799 2500

uMhlathuze multi-purpose sports stadium project

The project entails an ambitious multi-purpose sports stadium that will include:

• A soccer stadium constructed according to FIFA specification with 4 000 covered seats and 9 000 open seats
• A separate synthetic athletics track and sports field with 2 000 covered seats and 2 000
  embankment seating
• Indoor sports facility that can double-up to host up to 2 000 people per conference
• Additional parking space
• Requisite change rooms, ablutions, offices, break-away rooms, drug-testing rooms, first
  aid rooms, press rooms, etc

The total estimated cost for the stadium is R195-million. The breakdown of this figure is as follows:

• FIFA Soccer field, pavilions, pertinent facilities, as well as the synthetic athletics track, sports field and pavilions, along with ancillary services and parking areas: R136-million
• Indoor sports facilities cum conference venue: R59-million

Funding obtained and required

uThungulu DM has managed to secure funding to the value of R30-million already from various provincial government departments, and other public bodies. Considering that the total cost is estimated at R195-million, the DM has set up development in two phases. The first phase - Minimal facility - will cost R39-million, and the second phase - Preferred facility - an additional R156-million. With committed annual contributions from the National Lottery Fund, the DM is confident that they can go ahead with at least Phase 1, but they are hopeful that government and private sector investment will see the Preferred facility become a reality.

Minimal facility
Irrigated and grassed soccer stadium with 4 000 open seats and appropriate change rooms, ablutions and offices. Synthetic athletics track only, with embankment seating space for 2 000. No additional parking areas.

Preferred facility
Soccer stadium with 4 000 covered seats, 4 000 open seats, 5 000 embankment seats, lighting, irrigation and sub-surface drainage. Synthetic athletics track with sports field, 2 000 covered seats, 2 000 embankment seats, lighting, irrigation and sub-surface drainage. Indoor sports facility that can be utilised as conference centre for up to 2 000 people. Additional parking areas.

Investment is required to realise the Preferred facility. For more information, contact Anushka Makka or Rocky Chetty at uThungulu on +27 35 799 2500 or email anushka@uthungulu.co.za

The business plan

A comprehensive business plan for the project has been devised by the uThungulu District Muncipality and can be requested directly from Anushka Makka or Rocky Chetty on +27 35 799 2500 or email anushka@uthungulu.co.za. The business plan outlines the objectives and deliverables of the project and extends to include such specifics as a detailed architectural drawing and cost-revenue estimates for the development. An extensive SWOT analysis is included as well.

The business goal

By building a multi-purpose sports stadium, the municipality wants to bring an influx of supporters, businesses and other stakeholders to the region. By their presence, the region will have reason and the ability to grow economically and thereby enhance the living standard of the local communities. The stadium will itself create direct and indirect employment opportunities, both during the construction phase and thereafter, as well as offering various down-the-line business opportunities for entrepreneurs and established businesses alike.

The project goal

The project goal is to provide a multi-purpose sports facility with a FIFA specification
soccer field and at least 8 000 seats at the Veldenvlei Sports Complex. The centre will include a synthetic athletics track and indoor sports facility that can double as a conference venue. By creating a multi-purpose centre, as opposed to a single sport specific venue, the stadium will benefit more of the community both in terms of sports hosting, but also for sports development among local athletes and the youth.

Project deliverables

• An aesthetically pleasing multipurpose sport stadium and soccer field to FIFA specifications for use as base camp in 2010, and regional, provincial and national sporting events afterwards.
• Safe access to and from the sport stadium.
• Adequate infrastructure to service the sports stadium.
• A successful project.

Project benefits

• Additional sports facilities where community members can identify and develop talented athletes
• The provision of a much-needed facility where indoor sports codes can be trained and
  sporting events held
• A centralised regional facility, where a multitude of regional sporting events can be hosted, as well as provincial and, possibly, national events
• Exposure of greater Richards Bay and Zululand to visitors, thus stimulating the local
  tourism, retail, and food and beverage industries and general business

For more information contact uThungulu District Municipality:
Contact: Anushka Makka
Tel.: +27 35 799 2500
Email: anushka@uthungulu.co.za