Boost for local sport stadiums

GEORGE NEWS - The Thembalethu and Touwsranten sports fields will receive steel structure stadiums worth R800 000 thanks to funds from the Western Cape Department of Cultural Affairs and Sports (SCAS).

A ceremonial cheque was presented to George Mayor Leon van Wyk by Western Cape Minister Anroux Marais on Tuesday 17 May.

George Municipality is one of three municipalities whose applications for funding from DCAS were granted. Marais said that the R800 000 awarded to George will be equally divided between the Thembalethu and Touwsranten sports field stadiums.

Marais was delighted to be handing over the cheque to the beautiful town of George. "George is fast becoming popular with sports tourism events, and this contribution from the DCAS will certainly add value to sport, tourism and the economy of George," she said. "I hope that the spectators from Thembalethu and Touwsranten will own and take care of these facilities for their communities and the future."

Van Wyk expressed the municipality's gratitude, saying he is happy that they had could discuss various sporting engagements and events that can be facilitated between George and the DCAS.

"This will help us enormously, both in the development of sport for George as well as the tourism spin-offs," he said.

Chief director for Sport and Recreation in the DCAS Lyndon Bouah explained the allocation criteria of the funds: "The provincial government allocates these funds based on received applications from the various municipalities in the Western Cape. The annual application process takes place between July and September. The department would then award three applicants to share the fund of about R2-million for sports infrastructure upgrade or development."

Among the attendees at the handover were the sports portfolio councillor, Brendon Adams, senior management of the municipality, officials from DCAS, and representatives of Eden Sport Council and Eden Netball.

In front from left are Dr Lyndon Bouah (provincial department), Municipal Manager Dr Michele Gratz, George Mayor Leon van Wyk, Minister Anroux Marais, Portfolio Cllr Brendon Adams and Zelda van Staden (Eden Sport Council). Back: Jean Neethling (provincial department), Jeanetta Rhode (Eden Netball), Director of Community Services Allen Paulse, Kevin Malan, Nicolette Pietersen and Dyllon van der Rheede (provincial department), manager of sport development Granville Campher and Dirk van der Westhuizen.

Minister Anroux Marais signs the check of R800 000.

Municipal Manager Dr Michele Gratz, Mayor Leon van Wyk, Minister Anroux Marais, Portfolio Councillor Brendon Adams and Dr Lyndon Bouah (chief director of provincial department).