The Hankey Sports Field in Phillipsville has been temporarily closed after it was recently wrecked by vandals – causing significant damage to the tune of thousands of rands.
The sports field is closed and will remain closed for three months, until May 7.
Kouga executive mayor, Horatio Hendricks, said that the sports field had several pieces of infrastructure damaged.
These include the concrete fence, a gate, lights, windows, the irrigation system, and the pitch.
It is estimated that all repair work, except for the pitch, will be completed by the end of April 2023. Work on the damaged pitch and grass areas will be completed by the second week in May.
Hendricks said that the municipality’s sporting facilities were under siege from vandals.
“The municipality is experiencing a high-volume of vandalism and theft of municipal infrastructure,” he said. “This has severe negative consequences on the ability of the municipality to provide efficient, sustainable, and continued services to the communities of Kouga.
“Over a period of six months, vandalism and theft, at eight facilities, cost over R1.2 million with the Hankey Sports Field being among the hardest hit.
“We need serious intervention and buy-in from all members of the community to take ownership of their areas – thus guarding against the vandalism of facilities. Together we can create facilities where residents can play in a clean, green, and safe environment, while promoting their love for sport.”
He said that the municipality had received a positive commitment from the Sports Council, Rugby Union and soccer clubs to get involved and guard against vandalism.
