The close-knit community of Loerieheuwel radiated joy and pride as the Kouga Municipality formally unveiled the refurbished Loerie Sportsfield on August 19, marking a significant milestone in the area’s sporting history. The formally vandalised facility breathes new life into the community, potentially propelling local athletes to stardom.
The project, which began in February 2023 and is valued at almost R10 million, was funded by the Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG).
Dr Vicky Knoetze, member of the Eastern Cape Provincial Legislature, said she was in awe when she saw the newly renovated sports facility, which she believes is value for money considering the state of many other sporting facilities across the province.
She said that while watching the Olympic Games Paris 2024, she was amazed to see many sportsmen and women from places she had never heard of before.
With the renovated Loerie Sportsfield now available, Knoetze envisions a future where local youth can unlock their sporting talent, leveraging the facility’s resources to cultivate their talents and achieve excellence.
“In a few years, I hope to turn on my television to see sports stars from Loerie, and the Kouga region at large, participating in the Olympics. However, to make this happen, we must give people access to facilities,” said Knoetze.
“Facilities like the Loerie Sportsfield give people access to opportunities.”
Kouga Executive Mayor Hattingh Bornman emphasised the transformative power of sport in the lives of young people, highlighting its ability to empower them to make positive choices and avoid the pitfalls of street life, thereby fostering a brighter future.
He further encouraged all sporting organisations to utilise the renovated Loerie Sportsfield, expressing his optimism that this facility will serve as a place to push potential sports stars in the right direction.
“We have an Olympic gold medallist from Jeffreys Bay, and a World Cup winner from Humansdorp. We want to see more talent from Loerie on stage,” said Bornman.
Following past vandalism, he stressed the importance of community ownership and stewardship to safeguard the future of the Loerie Sportsfield.
“While the Kouga Municipality retains ownership, the community must embrace responsibility for maintaining the facility, ensuring its longevity and availability for future generations,” said Bornman.
To improve security, he said the municipality had implemented measures, including a 24/7 on-site caretaker, secure gates, and a perimeter fence, to provide a safe and protected environment for the community to enjoy.
As an added security measure, Bornman said they plan to install surveillance cameras at the facility which will be monitored from the Incident Command Centre (ICC) in Humansdorp.
According to Rochelle Ludick, Kouga’s manager of parks and recreational facilities, the Loerie Sportsfield suffered extensive vandalism, with thieves stealing essential items such as the geyser and bricks, leaving the facility in a state of disrepair.
Since sport plays a crucial role in the region, she said the renovation of the facility aims at bringing the community together, by encouraging the residents and various sporting codes to take ownership of the facility.
“The newly revamped facility has a clubhouse with bathrooms, changing rooms, and a kitchen, while the sports field caters for tennis, netball, cricket, soccer, and rugby,” said Ludick.
“The facility also has a new grandstand for spectators which was built with bricks instead of wood, for longevity.”
