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Green Point Stadium
How much will the stadium cost?
The stadium will cost R2.857 billion. National Government has given R1.93 billion to pay for the stadium, the Provincial Government R212-million and the City a total of R400 million, plus R100 million for contingency.
Who is paying, and will it affect my rates?
The R500 million allocated to the stadium comes out of the City’s budget over the next three years and will not affect rates. The recent increases are necessary to deal with a backlog in infrastructure, and cover spending to improve essential services such as water and sewage, in order to ensure the city’s long-term sustainability and growth.
Is the money a loan?
The money has been set aside out of annual budgets and will not be borrowed.
Is R2.857 billion too much for just one semi-final match?
Nine World Cup 2010 matches will be played in the Green Point stadium – more than any other single stadium in South Africa. Billions of people worldwide will see Cape Town, and this exposure will have long-term economic benefits for the city. The stadium will be used after 2010.
Will the stadium be a white elephant after 2010?
The Green Point stadium will be used as a multi-purpose venue for ball sports, major events and concerts after 2010. Investec carried out a feasibility study and worked out the net discounted present value of the income potential of the stadium at R260 million. On the basis of their analysis, Investec was able to give the City the written assurance that the minimum income stream it could depend on from a future operator of the stadium was R185 million.
Why not Athlone or Newlands or other venues?
Despite widespread support for other venues, none of them met the requirements for a 2010 FIFA World Cup semi-final. In order to harness the economic and global marketing opportunity from hosting the biggest sporting event in the world, a 68 000 seater stadium was needed, and none of the existing stadiums could be upgraded to that capacity. Cape Town also has a legally-binding contract with FIFA as a semi-final host to provide a stadium that meets its requirements. The only available option, after much investigation, was to build a new stadium in Green Point.
Is it still possible to stop the project?
Contracts have been signed and construction is already under way. Legal action to prevent further construction will delay and jeopardise the project, and could lead to a significant loss in investments and long-term economic benefits for the city.
What are the benefits for Cape Town?
Not only will Cape Town be marketed around the world, which will raise its profile, the city will also benefit from billions of rands of infrastructure spending and investment from the public and private sectors, which will boost the local economy, provide jobs and improve the lives of its citizens. The much-needed public transport upgrades are one of the main benefits.
Will the stadium cost go over budget?
The contractors have a tight contract with the City and cost escalations are factored in. There is a risk with every major project that unforeseen expenses may be incurred. To control this, the City of Cape Town is managing the project with the best local and international professionals.
Will building costs rise on account of the fact that all materials are used for the stadium?
There is currently a construction boom across the country (partly driven by the 2010 FIFA World Cup) and those in the industry will ensure that there is enough capacity and materials to meet the deadlines.
Will there be enough electricity, and will Cape Town be affected by power cuts?
A new electrical substation is to be built in Green Point for R151 million. This will not only supply the stadium, but areas of the city bowl as well, which will need more electricity as it grows. The stadium will not use much electricity, and then only for limited periods. The stadium will also have its own standby generators.
Would the money not be better spent on houses, hospitals and schools?
National, provincial and local government have annual budgets for housing, health, education and other vital areas. The funding for the stadium and other 2010-related infrastructure is not coming from these areas, but has been specially set aside. The national government is spending over R15 billion on stadiums and infrastructure to capitalise on the economic boost it will give to the country. This spending will not only provide jobs and boost the local economy in the short term, but in the long term will attract billions of rands worth of public and private sector investment, which will in turn enable the government to better provide for the poor.
General
When will the 2010 FIFA World Cup take place?
Between June 11 and July 11, 2010
How can I get tickets?
Tickets have not gone on sale yet.
Are there any business opportunities?
Any business operations in the area surrounding the stadium are reserved for FIFA sponsors, as are the rights to use the logo and any marketing related to the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Contact the City or FIFA's Local Organising Committee for clarity on this issue.
How will hosting the 2010 matches affect me?
Apart from traffic disruptions and an influx of spectators into the city, other services will continue as normal and should not affect most residents.
Where can I find accommodation?
You can contact the local tourism authorities direct by clicking on: links
How will I get to the stadium?
In order to avoid traffic congestion, spectators will be advised to take public transport to get to the stadium and fan parks. A major public transport upgrade is planned for the city ahead of 2010.
Will the stadium be finished in time?
Despite tight deadlines, the stadium has to be finished by the end of 2009 in order to comply with FIFA regulations. The tournament starts only six months after that. The construction programme is on track.
How do you foresee the World Cup affecting housing?
The World Cup is unlikely to have a major direct effect on the formal housing shortage of some 400 000 units in the Cape Town metropolitan area (a city with 3,2 million residents in an area of 2 500 square kilometres), although housing will benefit from general economic growth.
What impact will the World Cup have on transportation?
The World Cup should have a significant effect on transport. All three spheres of government, including national, provincial and local will co-operate to enhance transport infrastructure. (R890 million has already been allocated for this purpose.) The transport plan for 2010 will be based on:
- new, improved infrastructure
- operational plans
- traffic management systems
- behavioural change (encouraging people to use less private and more public transport)
The plan includes dedicated bus lanes on freeways, park 'n ride facilities, improved transport corridors, upgraded rail links, rolling stock and systems. The international airport in Cape Town will also undertake upgrades. Accommodation, rental transport, catering, entertainment and the provision of goods and services are all areas which will benefit from the World Cup.
How do you foresee the World Cup affecting the environment?
FIFA has set "green goals" to comply to. The City of Cape Town also has a Sustainable Energy Policy, which will guide all preparation work. One legacy benefit is expected to be green community spaces or "dignified places" across the city. Green Point Common (where the stadium will be built) will also benefit, as a major green portion will be retained and upgraded as a sports and recreation precinct with walkways and a landscaped urban park.
How will the World Cup benefit the poor?
The poor will benefit from improved infrastructure and services - FIFA, the SA government, the Local World Cup Organising Committee and the City place a strong emphasis of the "legacy benefits" of the World Cup. The general economic improvements mentioned above will have a ripple effect - arts and crafts, entertainment, tourism and the service industry are all likely beneficiaries. Public Viewing Areas (later) should provide economic opportunities for local people.
When large-scale events come to town, there has been a tendency for host cities to cover up unpleasantries (especially slums and other poor areas) so as not to scare visitors, rather than attempting to fix the problem itself. Do you anticipate a similar occurrence?
Rather than a cover-up, reality will be guided by priorities. There is a huge amount of work to be undertaken in the next four years in order to host a successful and FIFA compliant World Cup. Those priorities cannot happen without the World Cup, and the capacity to plan and deliver them will determine what gets fixed first and what, regrettably does not by 2010. That said, the City has to deliver its normal range of services which include, water, electricity, solid waste removal, emergency services, etc.
Large-scale events such as the World Cup can act as catalysts for major changes in their host countries and cities. Do you anticipate 2010 will act as such for Cape Town? If so, what developments do you see coming about as a result of hosting the World Cup?
> Yes. Current direct World Cup related investment by the public sector in Cape Town is estimated at over R10 billion. More related investment will follow. Cape Town's goals are to:
- host a successful event
- be the party capital of the continent
- leverage economic and legacy benefits
- enhance Cape Town's reputation as an investment and tourism destination
The World Cup is the greatest event in the world with cumulative TV audiences estimated at around 28 billion viewers in 240 countries. Cape Town is visually beautiful and hosting a semi-final here plus the run-up events will have huge marketing benefits abroad.
In the Special Measures Bill, there is a section about "Traffic-free zones" into which vehicles may not enter. Do you anticipate that such zones will adversely affect traffic flows in Cape Town in a significant way?
Cape Town has undertaken Transport Impact Assessments and has traffic management plans for the World Cup. While the unpredictable volumes of such a global event could be disruptive, much will have been invested in better public transport and traffic easing measures.
During the past several World Cups, there have been broadcasts of large groups of citizens watching games on enormous screens in public squares. Will Cape Town set up such areas?
There should be an official FIFA fan park, two major Cape Town fan parks in the south-eastern and northern part of the city, several smaller fan parks in community spaces and in eight surrounding provincial towns. In addition, shopping malls, restaurants, etc are expected to offer clients big screen entertainment areas.
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