GEORGE NEWS - The Rosemoor Sports Grounds tartan track might turn into a R40,6m white elephant if Athletics South Africa's requirements for certifying it for sanctioned events set are not met. Construction started in May 2024 and is expected to be completed by January 2025.
On 3 September, Athletics SWD (ASWD) general manager Soraya de Reuck sent a letter to George Mayor Jackie von Brandis, stating that, "As it currently stands, the new Rosemoor tartan track cannot be used for any Athletics SA (ASA) sanctioned competitions as the communicated criteria have not been met. It is also not a suitable venue for any large school competitions."
Already in 2018, ASWD listed its main concerns in a letter to the municipality.
These are: there is not enough space; there are no parking facilities - a decisive factor; there will be no warm-up area for the athletes; the plans have been drawn up without a disaster management/evacuation plan, meaning the safety of athletes and spectators are at risk; there is no seating for spectators; and no toilet facilities.
A former concern that an eight-lane track cannot be built in the available space has been addressed after additional land was procured from the neighbouring school.
As recently as 17 September, De Reuck sent a letter to George Municipality asking for the most current plans.
Among a list of other items she requested information regarding designs and plans for the track; the stadium design to accommodate spectators, administrators, participants and support personnel; the layout of the parking and pedestrian flows for spectators, administrators, participants and buses and the required warm-up area.
The president of ASWD and vice-president of Athletics SA, Shireen Noble, added that it appears the current plan is to build a temporary pavilion on the eastern side of the track with a permanent stadium to be built on the western side if land can be acquired from the school next to the field. "This might be problematic if the land cannot be acquired," said Noble.
"Even if the athletics track gets certified, the infrastructure of the development won't be able to accommodate large-scale events.
"Moreover, because we have not seen a master plan detailing the long-term vision, we are concerned that the Rosemoor Athletics Stadium could turn into a white elephant that is unable to host large scale events."
In response to George Herald's question about the possibility that the facility might not be certified by Athletics SA, George Municipality said, "The track at Rosemoor Athletics Stadium was designed in close consultation with Athletics South Africa's appointed consultant, Sable Design, who served as a subcontractor on this project.
Sable Design is the recognised authority for endorsing and approving athletics tracks in South Africa, and they have signed off on all design specifications for this facility".
‘We bring you the latest Garden Route, Hessequa, Karoo news’
