The City of Cape Town’s 2010 planning is on track, with construction of the new stadium underway, and the focus shifting to the redevelopment of Green Point Common and other 2010 preparations.

City 2010 spokesperson Pieter Cronje says work is progressing well with the stadium and its future home – the Green Point Common. “We are more than halfway through sharing our plans on the future of the Common with the people of Cape Town, and getting their input,” he said.

A series of public consultations are taking place across the metropolitan area to allow residents to have their say in what the 85-hectare Common’s sports and recreation precinct will look like. The City has budgeted R120-million for the redevelopment of the Common.

“We have had favourable feedback from the public about the plans to give it a facelift and have sporting facilities, recreational facilities and walkways to make it a space for all the residents of Cape Town,” Cronje said.

The old Metropolitan Golf Course and Green Point Stadium area is unrecognisable, with the old stadium partially demolished, the area cordoned off, trees cut down, road diverted, and construction crews working on the new stadium.

Foundations are being poured for the columns of the podium – which will house parking bays and services for the stadium – with foundations for the stadium raking columns and columns themselves following thereafter.

“The focus is shifting to preparations for 2010, in terms of infrastructure, facilities, public transport, and overall preparation to host biggest event in the world,” Cronje said.

The City has extended the closure date for tenders for the long-term operator for the stadium. At least eighteen interested parties have collected tender documents so far. “We had specific requests from interested parties, they wanted to ensure that they could give us a proper business plans and submissions, as it is a major investment.”

The building plans for the smaller and cheaper stadium design are also available for public approval and comment before being approved by Council. Provisional approval was given for the construction of the stadium to go ahead while these plans were being modified to lower the projected cost to bring the stadium within the City’s budget.

• Building plans are available for inspection in the Civic Centre until 7 June 2007. Interested parties can phone Brian Tarrant on 021 400 2249 to arrange a time to view the plans.
  
• Public meetings on the Green Point Common revitalisation are scheduled to take place on these dates:
  
  
  
  • Parow Civic Centre (17 May)
    
  • O R Tambo Sports Complex, Khayelitsha (23 May)
    
  • Kraaifontein Civic Centre (24 May)
    
  • Schotschekloof Civic Centre, City Bowl (25 May).