GEORGE NEWS - Wayde van Niekerk can keep his spike shoes ready to use them in George. The town is getting its own tartan athletics track.
Wilbur Harris, who lives near the Rosemoor sport stadium, is smiling broadly. “I have fought hard over the years for the upgrading of the stadium. We truly hope that Wayde will inaugurate the track.”
Harris used to run on the existing dirt track as a schoolboy and knows what a challenge it presents. When it rains, it is turned into a mud track.
Harris, an Icosa councillor on the George council and a former deputy mayor, has received confirmation that the athletics course will be upgraded. The money will come from the so-called Dora funds (Division of Revenue Act).
During a recent visit to the track he also heard that it has already been surveyed for the upgrade. According to Harris, national government has granted R8,5-million in its recent budget for the upgrade of the track.
This provides for a tartan track that will be the first of its kind in George. It is thought that the tartan track in Oudtshoorn is currently the only one in the Garden Route.
“I am delighted,” says Harris. “The stadium is 30 years old and is one of the most well-known places in the area. It consists of rugby / cricket fields and the athletics track with a soccer field in the middle.”
According to Harris, the athletics track is very popular among schools. “However, it is in a state of neglect. When it rains the track is also muddy.”
Wilbur Harris, George councillor, on the Rosemoor athletics track. It will be getting a tartan surface.
Schools often travel to Oudtshoorn to use the tartan track. Some of the athletics clubs also prefer to go to Oudtshoorn because there is a tartan track. “Conditions there are better.”
Harris said a needs assessment was done a while back and the money was allocated. It will now be paid over to Council. It will be included in the municipal budget for the new book year.
"The municipality will act as agent to execute the project.”
A tender process will follow. "It is a dream come true. It will now become possible to host national athletics here. This means that the Wayde van Niekerks can be developed here,” said Harris.
The new track will not only benefit athletics, but will also provide an economic boost and will help surrounding businesses. The community will also benefit.
On Monday, George Municipal Manager Trevor Botha confirmed upon enquiry that money has been allocated for the upgrading of the athletics track. “It is a positive step,” he said.
According to Botha, processes will now follow for putting the decision into operation and constructing the track.
Article: Eugene Gunning
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