After years of requests for upgrades to facilities at the Mamre Sports Grounds work on phase 2 of improvements are underway.
“Following a request from the various Mamre sports clubs and the ward councillor to upgrade the Mamre sports facilities in 2016-’17, the Recreation and Parks Department began a series of consultations,” explains councillor Zahid Badroodien, Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health.
Phase 1 of upgrades at the sports field was started in the 2017-’18 financial year with the car parking area. Two netball courts and a 5-a-side artificial grass soccer field was also worked on.
According to local councillor Cynthia Clayton, before the construction the area was a dust bowl with derelict ablutions where youth had engaged in illegal anti-social activities. “But these have now been eliminated,” she said.
Phase 2 will include a new clubhouse, upgrades of the ablution block, all of which were identified as priorities by the steering committee.
Last August, half of the existing roof of the dilapidated ablutions was blown off in strong winds. The department prioritised this area in planning for the upgrades.
A detailed design was presented to the various club representatives and councillors on 10 June. All the sports codes using the facility, including rugby, netball, cricket and soccer, were present and accepted the design.
In the interim, portable, prefabricated ablutions and changing rooms have been installed, and can be used while the new clubhouse is under construction.
The old ablutions are being demolished Clayton added.
No date has been confirmed for construction on the clubhouse. “Budget adjustments and national restrictions due to Covid-19 may impact the roll-out of the project,” Badroodien said. “However, any developments will be communicated over time.”
Said Clayton: “Safeguarding the investment made in recreational facilities is also an ongoing concern and once completed, and the City depends on partnership with residents to protect this community asset from vandalism and theft.”
