Staff Writer
SOME Bellville residents have objected to the upgrading of the Bellville Velodrome and Athletics Stadium, a project that is expected to create 25 000 direct and indirect jobs.
The mayoral committee member for community services and special projects, Belinda Walker, said construction would begin in October.
The stadium is closed.
In a letter to the City of Cape Town, resident Brian Cox, who trains a sprinter, said: “It sounds as if the city has realised that their failure to enact suitable running maintenance on the facilities now necessitates significant remedial work.”
Residents were entitled to be notified by the city of plans that might affect their activities, he said. They should also have a say.
“I am extremely angered that the city has denied us our rights of access to critical information regarding our facilities, and we object extremely strongly to the city’s conduct in this regard.”
Fellow resident Veronica du Toit, whose son trains on the athletics track, said: “Our children are spending so much time on the track training to work towards their dreams as athletes and we are devastated to hear about these plans.”
Walker said in response: “The development proposal will enhance the area between the Tyger Valley Shopping Centre and the Parc Du Cap Office Park in terms of its design, form and urban fit. It will provide a balanced blend of retail, business, residential, hotel and conference facilities.”
She denied the city had refused to release information about the upgrades.