The floodlights at the Cloetesville Sports Ground were recently upgraded after it had previously been vandalised. This was according to Stuart Grobbelaar, head of communications at Stellenbosch Municipality.
Recently upgraded floodlights at Cloetesville Sports Grounds. The upgrades formed part of a project by the Western Cape department of cultural affairs and sport, and Stellenbosch Municipality to address lighting and vandalism issues at the venue, said Stuart Grobbelaar, Stellenbosch Municipality spokesperson. PHOTO: Nkululeko Ndlovu
The upgrades, at a cost of R1.5 million, was a collaborative project between Stellenbosch Municipality and the Western Cape department of cultural affairs and sport (DCAS), said Grobbelaar.
The project was completed in February, and unveiled by provincial minister of the DCAS, Anroux Marais, and the mayor of Stellenbosch, Gesie van Deventer, on 14 March.
Property damage and vandalism
“[The aim of] this project was to address the lighting needs at Cloetesville sports facility that [have] been vandalized and stolen,” said Grobbelaar.
In addition to the floodlight upgrades, CCTV cameras and other security infrastructure were installed to secure the installations, as well as to “ensure that the lighting will be less prone to vandalism”, said Grobbelaar.
Minister of the Western Cape department of cultural affairs and sport, Anroux Marais, (left) and mayor of Stellenbosch, Gesie van Deventer, (right) during the unveiling of the new floodlights at Cloetesville Sports Grounds. PHOTO: Supplied/Stellenbosch Municipality
Let’s talk money
“[The DCAS] provided funding of R220 000 to Stellenbosch Municipality as a contribution,” said Tania Colyn, head of communications at DCAS.
The municipality contracted CSM Consulting to plan the project in April 2022, according to Grobbelaar. JT Maritz Electrical was then granted the government tender for the project in April 2023, said Grobbelaar.
New opportunities for the community
The upgrades create the “opportunity for a night-series event” for the various accommodated sporting disciplines, including “rugby, soccer, and cricket”, said Peter October, club secretary of Blakes Rugby Football Club (RFC) who utilize the Cloetesville Sports Grounds.
According to October, the Cloetesville Sports Grounds hosts sports games every weekend.
Cricket, rugby and soccer are among the sporting disciplines played at the Cloetesville Sports Ground, said Peter October, club secretary of Blakes Rugby Football Club. In this photograph, two of the four newly installed floodlights are visible. PHOTO: Nkululeko Ndlovu