Playing pitches could be ready by 2024

The rugby pitch in Narraville has not seen any action over the past three years, while the pitch at Kuisebmond soccer stadium has also been off-limits for quite some time.

Currently, no fields are available for training and accommodating soccer league obligations in the harbour town. This year saw the Kudu Rugby Club, which has been practicing on Jan Wilken since 2021, having to move a couple of their home games to Swakopmund. The same fate has now befallen Blue Waters Football Club, which competes in the Debmarine Premiership.

"Currently, we do not have decent training grounds. The team trains on a dirt pitch due to the unavailability of proper training grounds. We really wanted to play our home games in Walvis Bay - where the team is based. The fields are currently being worked on. The decision to do maintenance was made without considering the fact that the football season was about to start. Following this, we were left with no option but to play our home games in Swakopmund," Blue Waters coach Lucky Shipanga lamented.

Jan Wilken Stadium was the only playing pitch available and accommodated various games throughout the year before it was closed for rehabilitation. The stadium housed Sparta Rugby Club, Kudu Rugby Club, soccer clubs, and school sports. The obvious question was how long it would be able to carry this burden and withstand the pressure. “The number of injuries picked up by players at Jan Wilken indicates that the playing surface is being overutilised. The last school game was on 23 August and the facility will be closed until the end of December for maintenance,” said Daniel Mouton, the sports officer for the municipality of Walvis Bay.

According to Mouton, the Jan Wilken pitch lasted because no training and only league matches were allowed. “The field took a massive knock, but at least there was one good playing surface in the harbour town.”

The pavilion in Kuisebmond poses a safety hazard despite numerous monetary allocations to have it refurbished. The facility has a capacity for 4 000 spectators and was renovated in 2009 at N$3 million. “You cannot separate a pavilion from the playing field. Mobile stands will not be sufficient and ablution facilities are (currently) non-existent,” explained Mouton.

Records show that N$6 920 932 was allocated for the renovation of the stadium in 2015 and that N$2 592 983 was spent on this cause. Renovations included transforming the pavilion into a VIP sitting facility, plus two additional pavilions. “Renovations were conducted 10 years ago. Numerous projects were stopped due to Covid-19 and we need an estimated N$2 million for structural repairs to bring Kuisebmond Stadium up to standard. In its current state, the stadium poses a safety risk,” said Mouton.

According to him, an engineer was roped in for a structural assessment and recommended that the columns of the stadium be renovated. “Consultants were appointed in 2022 and completed their work. The document for the tender (valued at N$3 million) has been approved.”

Mouton also gave the assurance that the Narraville Rugby Stadium and field could be available for hosting matches again in 2024. The field had not been utilised since 2020 due to the pandemic and damage to the grass surface incurred when rainwater from the streets of Walvis Bay was dumped on the grass.

“We are making good progress and the planting of grass will be completed in November. The issue of the homeless occupying the clubhouse and changing rooms at Narraville Stadium is being attended to. Shifting the occupants is an ongoing process and could be completed in the next two months, with some of them being allocated land at Farm 37. A tender has been approved for renovations of the clubhouse, fence, pavilion, and boundary wall at a cost of N$1 million. The construction of the boundary is a priority.”

Council budgeted N$1 million for repairs at the Narraville sports field in 2022. This amount was, however, reduced to N$500 000 after consultations with the Erongo regional council.

Mouton said discussions about the ownership of sports fields are ongoing with clubs and pointed out that the education ministry is responsible for establishing and maintaining school sports fields. “Companies have an obligation to assist schools and must come on board. Many clubs are struggling with facilities and should actually adopt schools and develop sports facilities. This will alleviate pressure on the stadium. Resources are limited.”