Tshwane metro says the refurbishment of the Caledonian soccer stadium will start as soon as a contractor is appointed
Earlier this year, spokesperson Lindela Mashigo had responded to an enquiry by saying the R35-milion renovations project would start in May. Two weeks ago, he said: “To date, detailed design and tender documents have been completed and procurement processes has commenced.”
He said the renovations would likely start around September and take 20 months – “only if there are no delays”. Locals have complained they were not pleased with the state of the stadium because it had been reduced to a drug den.
Plans to renovate the once top-notch soccer stadium have been floating for years.
The stadium was once the home of Arcadia Shepherds football Club for more than a century.
During its glory days the stadium, which is located between Arcadia and Sunnyside, produced soccer legends Deshi Bhaktawer and Mark Fish and great Tiyani Mabunda, George Lebese, Gaona Modisane, Bongani Khumalo and Phil Evans, but a lack of maintenance has left it in a bad state.
Caretaker Jabu Mahlangu said he has lost hope that the stadium will ever get a facelift.
“My wish is for the stadium to be renovated,” he said. “Every year I just hear of a budget allocated for the stadium, but no renovations are ever done.”
Mahlangu said over the years he had seen contract workers come and put up signs that renovations were to start, but nothing ever happened.
