Big plans for Cape Town Stadium

Cape Town 121206. Anton Groenewald, Executive Director of Tourism,Events and Marketing; Alderman Patricia De Lille and Councillor Grant Pascoe at a press briefing in the stadium to discuss the way forward with the Cape Town Stadium. Reporter: Natasha Bezuidenhout. Pic: Jason Boud

Cape Town 121206. Anton Groenewald, Executive Director of Tourism,Events and Marketing; Alderman Patricia De Lille and Councillor Grant Pascoe at a press briefing in the stadium to discuss the way forward with the Cape Town Stadium. Reporter: Natasha Bezuidenhout. Pic: Jason Boud

Published Dec 7, 2012

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Cape Town - Plans to maximise the sustainability of Cape Town Stadium are continuing, including talks with the Western Province Rugby Football Union (WPRFU) for a potential move to the stadium, says the city.

Mayor Patricia de Lille said on Thursday that presentations have been made to look at the operational plans of the stadium.

“The management of Cape Town Stadium has undertaken several new initiatives, which fall within current approved planning and are geared towards improving the viability of the stadium,” De Lille said.

“Since the start of this financial year, in July 2012, the city has started securing major sporting and entertainment events at the stadium,” she said. “This includes a three-day deal with Ajax and the Bafana Bafana versus Norway match taking place next month. There are also discussions with major European teams, which could see Cape Town being selected as an off-season training venue.”

On the entertainment front, the city is in talks with Big Concerts after massive sales were recorded for the Lady Gaga and Linkin Park concerts. Tickets for the Red Hot Chilli Peppers for February have already sold out.

In 2011, the stadium hosted all the PSL soccer matches for Ajax Cape Town, which drew 107 013 spectators over the season, and hosted the Kings of Leon, Coldplay and Eagles concerts.

De Lille added that the stadium’s management had undertaken several new iniatives, which fall within the current approved planning and are geared towards improving the viability of the stadium. This includes the refurbishment of the stadium visitor’s centre, to be completed next year. The fan retail store will be brought online by the end of next year and the conference facility will be furnished and activated during this financial year.

More than R13 million has been generated at the Stadium and Green Point Urban Park between August last year and this year.

“Current zoning restrictions are limiting the stadium’s long-term viability. To give substance to the revenue options identified by a business analysis the city has undertaken, two fundamental changes are needed,” she said.

Grant Pascoe, mayoral committee member for tourism, events and marketing, said the city wanted as many people as possible to get involved.

“There is an impact on ratepayers living here, a huge sacrifice with regards to noise etc,” Pascoe said. “We want to have a geographic spread of events across the city, not only in this precinct and we are encouraging everyone to participate.” - Cape Argus

For more information visit www.capetown.gov.za/haveyoursay

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