2009-08-21: Executive Mayor Amos Masondo visits 2010 Stadium
THE Executive Mayor of Johannesburg Councillor Amos Masondo, accompanied by the Speaker of Council, Chief Whip, Members of the Mayoral Committee and the City's senior management will be visiting the 2010 FIFA World Cup stadiums on Friday 21st August 2009.
These visits provide the Mayoral team an opportunity to assess the progress made on stadiums thus far, challenges, seeking clarity from management and the work that still to be done as well as see first hand the implementation of the 2010 stadiums and their precincts.
The stadiums to be visited are Ruimsig, Dobsonville, Soccer City, Rand Stadium and Ellis Park.
Soccer City and Ellis Park Stadiums have been identified as venues for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Dobsonville, Rand, Ruimsig and Orlando stadiums have been identified as training venues for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. In order to comply with the FIFA regulations these stadiums have undergone extensive upgrade. Tomorrow's visit does not include Orlando stadium.
Soccer City Stadium
The start of the 2010 FIFA World Cup and the closing game will be held at Soccer City. The opening and closing ceremonies will also be at Soccer City. It will be at Soccer City, that the FIFA World Cup Trophy will be presented at the finals to the 2010 World Cup Champions.
Before the reconstruction, Soccer City had the capacity of 70 000 people. On completion it will be able to accommodate 94 700 people. The Stadium is 96% complete it will be completed in October 2009 and the precinct in December 2009.
Ellis Park Stadium
The opening and closing ceremony of the Confederations Cup as well as the start and final games were held at Ellis Park. The stadium will see seven (7) FIFA World Cup games being played on its grounds.
Ellis Park seats 65 000 people and it is completed.
Dobsonville Stadium
Dobsonville Stadium is identified as a training venue. The stadium was completed in July 2008 and the precinct in November 2008.
Before the reconstruction Dobsonville stadium had a capacity of 10 000 people. The stadium now sits 28 000 people.
Rand Stadium
Rand Stadium is identified as a training venue. The stadium was completed in July 2008 and the precinct in November 2008.
Before the reconstruction Dobsonville stadium had a capacity of 10 000 people. The stadium now sits 28 000 people.
Ruimsig Stadium
There will be minimum upgrade for the Ruimsig Stadium as the facility is relatively in good condition.
The pitch is complete it was seeded for the Confederations Cup and the work was funded by FIFA and the Local Organising Committee.
The renovation of the stadium will begin in November 2009 and be completed in time for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
Orlando Stadium
Orlando Stadium is identified as a training venue. The facility was inaugurated on the 22nd of November 2008.
The facility was transformed from a 24 000 to 40 000 seater stadium that is FIFA compliant.
These stadiums will not only be used for soccer, they are multi-purpose stadiums that will also be used for the following:
Gatherings and concerts;
Conferences and Meetings;
Weddings, Matric Dances and similar functions;
Gymnasium;
Fan shop; and
Offices; etc.
The bus will depart from the Johannesburg Metropolitan Centre at 08h30 to Ruimsig stadium, the next stop will be at Dobsonville stadium then Soccer City, in the afternoon we will be at Rand Stadium and our last visit will be at Ellis Park Stadium at about 15h00.
In the City of Johannesburg, we do not regard the 2010 FIFA World Cup as a once-off event but that a considerable portion of our planning goes into ensuring that it will leave a legacy for all the people of Joburg. Every Rand we spend on infrastructure and operations will bring lasting benefits to the City, its residents and its future growth and development.
Issued on behalf of:
Executive Mayor
Councillor Amos Masondo
Issued by:
Nkhensani Makhobela
Spokesperson for the Executive Mayor
City of Johannesburg
Tel: 011 407 7524
Fax: 011 339 5709
Cell: 082 461 7075
