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Innocent Kurira, Sports Reporter
THE Bulawayo City Council (BCC) plans to spruce up Barbourfields Stadium, Luveve Stadium and White City Stadium at a cost of over US$5 million.
City fathers on Monday announced that they will soon institute the refurbishmentof these sports facilities by unveiling US$5 523 920, in a move that will be funded through the municipality’s 2023 proposed service delivery budget.
Chairperson of the Finance and Development Committee Tawanda Ruzive presented the financial plan at the council chambers on Monday.
The budget which runs under the theme, Accelerating Economic Transformation which was built from the national development strategy-1, will however have to await approval by the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works.
The council’s plan to renovate its stadia was to align with infrastructure formats as informed by the international standards of the game of football.
“US$5 523 920 has been set aside to spruce up the three stadia,” Ruzive said.
“This is work in progress towards meeting the international standards that will enable the city to enjoy international games.
“Council owns three major stadia in the city, numerous football pitches, tennis courts and basketball grounds located in the wards.
“These facilities benefit the communities and offer places of association, entertainment and relaxation after hours and on weekends.”
The upgrade comes at a time when all the three facilities are in a worrying state.
White City Stadium, which was renovated in 2014 ahead of the African Union Sports Council Region 5 Games has been deemed unsuitable to host Premier Soccer League matches, with only Zifa Southern Region Division One fixtures taking place at the venue.
The work done in 2014 is deteriorating after shoddy work was done with those renovations.
Other sporting codes have also been affected by the derelict state of the stadia.
The standard athletics track installed at White City failed to garner any certification from World Athletics as it was not installed properly.
The turf is still bumpy with other amenities such as bathrooms and terraces not meeting the minimal required standards even on the local front.
As for Barbourfields, drainage, bucket seats and a whole lot more needs to be attended to. Luveve Stadium has a good turf but the perimeter wall and the terraces are in a deplorable state. — @innocentskizoe
Online Reporter