Completion of R81m stadium delayed

Published Jul 11, 2014

Share

Jason Felix

COMPLETION of the R81 million Green Point Athletics Stadium has been delayed for almost a year because the city has been forced to cancel the construction contract with Filcon Projects – an embattled construction company which has filed for business rescue.

Construction of the new facility began in January 2012 and was scheduled for completion by the end of last year, costing about R81m.

Mayco member for community services and special projects Belinda Walker said construction of the stadium had not been completed.

“The contractor has failed to complete the contract and the facility is currently not suitable for use. The city was forced to terminate the contract and this process was completed in March this year,” she said.

The stadium was planned to offer terraced seating for 5 500 spectators, of which 3 500 seats would be under cover; with a further 1 500 casual seats on grass banks.

Walker said it was expected that the stadium would be open by the end of this year.

“We will ensure that all outstanding and remedial work is completed as soon as possible. A large portion of the facility is not yet in a condition that can accommodate athletics events, as many of the health and safety aspects of the building are not yet complete,” she said.

“The city will endeavour to have the facility ready by end of year. Certain aspects of the facility are available for use such as the parking area, which is used during events being held in the stadium precinct. There are alternative facilities such as the Blue Downs Stadium which can be accessed by clubs until the stadium is fully functional and rendered safe for use,” she said.

Filcon Projects filed for business rescue in April, resulting in almost R400m in government projects in the Western Cape being cancelled, halted or jeopardised.

Filcon Projects received two multimillion-rand contracts to refurbish council homes in Manenberg and a R67m project to extend two primary schools in Atlantis – both which ran into difficulties and were terminated by the city and provincial government.

Filcon chairman Saul Loggenberg, who was barred in the UK from being a company director until 2024 by the British Insolvency Service, did not respond to e-mail questions yesterday.

Green Point Ratepayers and Residents Association co-chairman Mark Magielse said: “We understand that this was a legal matter with the city and the contractor.

“It is a complete waste of money as the stadium is standing alone with no activity. It is really unfortunate.”

Magielse raised concern that the stadium was incomplete but its outside parking lot was being used.

“This should not be happening,” he said.

The ANC leader in the city council, Tony Ehrenreich, said: “Our view is that there are strong links between the DA councillors in the city council and Filcon Projects. The number of cancelled projects shows a very worrying trend and we would like to see a full investigation on this.

“The city is doing nothing much where this is concerned.”

[email protected]

Related Topics: