With less than 500 days before the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ kicks off, the City of Cape Town is hard at work to ensure that it is ready for the greatest soccer tournament on earth.
“So far things are on schedule and South Africa is determined to make this first-ever Soccer World Cup in Africa a showcase for the continent,” said Executive Mayor Helen Zille.
The preparations are not only designed to ensure that the city is ready for the thousands of expected soccer fans and the global media coverage – but is also intended to leave Cape Town with a lasting legacy of hosting the event.
“It is an opportunity for Cape Town to benefit directly from huge infrastructure investment from national government. These investments will change the face of Cape Town for the better and help it to promote further economic growth and job creation heading towards 2010,” she said.
Some of the key projects that are being worked on during 2009 are:
Stadium
The R4.5 billion Green Point Stadium, which is the centrepiece for 2010 in Cape Town, is on track for completion by 4 December 2009, some six months before the tournament.
Construction has passed the halfway mark, and all the concrete work is complete. The roof - which is the design signature of the stadium - is currently under construction.
The stadium, which will have 68 000 seats, will host eight 2010 FIFA World Cup™ games, including a semi-final. After the tournament, the seating will be reduced to 55 000, as the stadium will then be used as a multi-function venue for the hosting of soccer and rugby matches, concerts and other events.
Green Point Common
The tender for the reconfiguration of the Green Point Common into an urban park and sports precinct has been awarded, and work has started. The completion date is early March 2010.
The urban park will be a quality multi-purpose open space for use by city’s residents. It will also feature a sports complex that will accommodate a range of sports codes and sporting facilities.
Another R30 million has been set aside for the upgrade of the nearby beachfront and promenade.
Investment
Cape Town is to benefit from massive investment, including R4.027 billion from national government and a R1.069 billion investment in infrastructure by the provincial government of the Western Cape.
Infrastructure projects include the new stadium, a R2.2 billion upgrade to Cape Town International Airport; a R1.3 billion upgrade to public transport; over R1 billion worth of upgrades to major roads; R1 billion in upgrades to electricity infrastructure; a R400 million upgrade to Cape Town Station and R1.2 billion for new trains.
Transport
Undoubtedly, the greatest benefit of hosting the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ for Cape Town is going to be an improved transport infrastructure. Highlights include improved road and rail networks; park and ride facilities; an airport bus link; an Integrated Rapid Transit (IRT) system and integrated ticketing.
The first phase of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system – which will provide fast, frequent and reliable public transport - has been approved and will be ready by March 2010. This will cover the city centre, airport and West Coast routes. The project will eventually include over 400km of dedicated public transport routes.
A 2010 transport plan is in place to ensure soccer fans get to the city using public transport.
Roads
Four major road upgrades are in progress around the city – Hospital Bend/N2 upgrade; Koeberg Interchange; Main Road in Muizenberg, and the construction of the new Granger Bay Boulevard and elevated traffic circle in Green Point. These will all be complete in time for the World Cup.
Safety and security
The City is working with the South African Police Service (SAPS) to ensure that the city is secure during the World Cup. The City has already procured an extra 180 law enforcement officers; 21 disaster management officers; 35 traffic officers; 124 firefighters; seven new fire engines; and new law enforcement vehicles.
The City has a disaster management plan in place for 2010, and staff are in training. The new disaster management centre, where the 107 call centre is located, has opened in Goodwood.
Fan parks
Those who are unable to get tickets will still be able to watch the matches on giant screens and enjoy the large crowd atmosphere. The official FIFA Fan Park will be on the Grand Parade, where an estimated 30 000 people will attend live broadcasts of the matches. Public viewing areas include the Athlone Hickory sport field, Bellville Velodrome and Swartklip sports complex.
Accommodation
At least eight new hotels are being built in Cape Town. These include the new One & Only hotel and two others at the V&A Waterfront, and two in St George’s Mall. This will mean there are at least 3 500 rooms within walking distance of the stadium; 7 000 rooms within a 15 minute driving radius, and 16 000 rooms within a 45 minute driving radius.
Green Goal
In order to make the World Cup as environmentally friendly as possible, 43 projects have been set up to incorporate measurable, sustainable development principles into every aspect of the event, including energy, waste, water, transport and hospitality.
Final draw
On 4 December 2009, the City will host the Final Draw to decide on the 32 teams that will participate in the tournament and the match roster. This will occur in front of a global television audience. The event will mark the start of the festive season, and will coincide with the switching on of the festive lights and other summer events that have been designed to showcase Cape Town as a tourist destination. The stadium is also on track for completion two weeks later.
Tickets
Tickets for the World Cup matches will go on sale on 20 February 2009.
Category 1-3 tickets will be sold locally and internationally, in dollars, while Category 4 tickets will only be sold locally to South African residents, and will cost R140.