Johannesburg’s preparations for the 2010 Soccer World Cup are on time and within budget, mayor Amos Masondo said on Wednesday.
”Let me assure you that our plans and preparations are on track, on time and within budget,” he told a sod-turning ceremony at the FNB Stadium.
With 1 240 days before the opening match kicks off at the FNB Stadium, Masondo said the contractor has undertaken to finish the stadium by March 18 2009.
It will be reconstructed at a cost of R1,5-billion, subject to contract negotiations, and will seat 94 000 people. At the moment it seats 70 000.
A host of benefits will flow from the upgrades of both the FNB and Ellis Park stadiums, said Masondo.
Communities around venues will be upgraded and safety, security and infrastructure improved at a total cost of about R6,3-billionn.
Johannesburg metro police are training 500 new officers annually and will have a complement of 4 000 by 2010.
There will be extensive changes to the road networks around both stadiums, with a facelift for the urban landscape around the Ellis Park venue.
”Investment will reverse the current economic and physical decline of the area and spill over to Joubert Park.”
As far as security is concerned, he said the authorities will be prepared for everything from terrorism and organised crime to food poisoning and petty theft.
Masondo said the event will generate about R21-billion in revenue, R7-billion in taxes for the city’s coffers and create 150 000 jobs.
Said city manager Mavela Dlamini: ”2010 is not a destination, it is just a milestone towards better things.”
The calabash-shaped FNB Stadium will be surrounded by lights to give it the appearance, at night, of a pot on a stove, he said. It will host the opening and closing ceremonies and matches.
Upgrades in Soweto include Jabavu and the area around Diepkloof hostel.
The Klipspruit catchment area will also be cleaned up and the condition of wetlands there improved.
Masondo announced that the contractor for the FNB stadium will be Grinaker, LTA and Interbeton.
An accountant on the FNB Stadium team said it is unlikely the refurbished stadium will turn a profit after the World Cup.
”The majority of stadiums around the world are run at a loss and are sponsored by either a sports team or the government or whatever,” he said, asking not to be named.
Every possible avenue of revenue generation after 2010, from funerals to exhibitions, has been considered in the design of the stadium, he said.
”Our brief is to create a stadium that has legacy benefits.”
Local Organising Committee chief executive officer Danny Jordaan commended the Johannesburg City Council for accelerating the tender process.
He said concerns that some stadiums are over their budgets will be investigated.
”Not only in the construction of a stadium, but also a house, there would be cost escalation. Our job is to determine whether it’s justified.”
According to the Star newspaper, Durban’s King Senzangakhona Stadium is reportedly 18% over budget, Cape Town’s Green Point Stadium 54% over and Port Elizabeth’s Nelson Mandela Stadium 19,5%.
”While we are investigating the costs, the construction process will not stop.
”We are still determined to honour the undertaking that in each city construction must be under way by the first quarter of this year.”
Jordaan pointed out that the FNB Stadium, which had been half-completed since 1985, would now not only be finished, but upgraded to meet world-class standards.
While being photographed turning the sod, Jordaan quipped: ”This one [photo] must go to [Fifa president Sepp] Blatter. He must see picks and shovels.” — Sapa