A group of owners of local sports clubs who utilise the Van der Stel (VDS) Sports Complex in Stellenbosch, are opposed to a recent formal quotation that was put out on the property. This is according to Haydn Trollip, chairman of the group, the VDS Council.
A formal quotation has been put out on Van der Stel Sports Complex, located on Du Toit Street, in central Stellenbosch, said Haydn Trollip, chairman of the Van der Stel Council. PHOTO: Jodi-Mari Adams
Lack of funding for maintenance and upkeep has led to the potential leasing of the complex to a third party, according to minutes from a Stellenbosch Municipality meeting held at the end of February.
A decision to review the management model of the complex was made in July 2019 already, according to the minutes of this meeting. The public could comment on the management process between 14 November and 15 December last year.
“The current income from the [VDS Sports Complex] is not covering the operational costs,” said Stuart Grobbelaar, spokesperson of Stellenbosch Municipality, via written correspondence with MatieMedia.
“The intention of the [Municipal] Council is to appoint a professional management company to manage the facility,” said Grobbelaar. “Part of the management agreement will be that they will use some of the income generated to do maintenance work.”
Van der Stel Sports Complex is referred to as the “green lung of Stellenbosch” according to Haydn Trollip, chairman of the Van der Stel Council. PHOTO: Jodi-Mari Adams
The Van der Stel council currently has an agreement with the municipality regarding the current funding model, said Trollip. “We have a parking rental agreement, and then we pay the water and electricity,” said Trollip. The Van der Stel council maintains the facility, and therefore does not pay rent for the spaces occupied, he said.
Sport clubs belonging to VDS Sports are, however, concerned about the future of their clubs, as the whole facility will be put on quotation, explained Trollip.
According to the municipality’s meeting minutes, the rights of the current sports clubs and users will be protected in future agreement. Occupants remain concerned, however.
“We are scared they [are] going to give [the property] to the highest bidder, because this is prime land… then we’ve got no say,” said Annette Nel, founder of the VDS gymnastics club.
Nel claimed that occupants within the complex have subsidised the maintenance themselves. The subsidising has been taking place since around 2014/15, according to Trollip.
Many sports clubs, as well as members of the community, utilise the sports complex daily for their sports activities. This is according to Haydn Trollip, chairman of the Van der Stel Council. PHOTO: Jodi-Mari Adams
Solutions to the financial predicament
The VDS Council held a meeting with the Municipal Mayoral Committee in July last year to discuss the way forward, according to Trollip.
“VDS made a [proposal for a] ratio split of possible rental income to the Municipal Mayoral Committee, which was rejected,” said Trollip.
The Municipal Mayoral Committee then stated that the facility would be put out to a formal quotation, for management and other use, he said.
“A few months later the call for proposal of VDS premises was published,” said Trollip.