13 December 2006
By Sheena Adams
The City of Johannesburg has taken ownership of Soccer City, paving the way for the R1,5-billion upgrade of the stadium, writes Sheena Adams.
The stadium, which will look like a calabash when complete, is a key venue for the 2010 Fifa World Cup, earmarked to host both the opening and final matches.
According to the report on
IOL, Soccer City general manager Dennis Mumble said a transfer agreement was recently signed between current owners, the Stadia and Soccer Development Trust, and the City.
However, a long-term lease agreement between the City and the South African Football Association is still under negotiation, Mumble said on Monday.
"The issue has been resolved, and although it is premature to make a full formal announcement, the ownership of the stadium has been transferred to the state, so it becomes public property now.
"First National Bank (the stadium sponsors) will not be affected as the operation of the stadium will still reside with Safa along with the naming rights," Mumble said.
The agreement, which will see the land transferred to the Department of Public Works and the stadium to the City, paves the way for construction to begin on the mammoth refurbishment of the stadium in the new year.
Mumble said the tender for construction closes on December 18 and an announcement of the successful bidder will be made soon after that.
He added that the government would now decide how to handle the major improvements planned for the site and whether the stadium would be transferred to the Department of Public Works or the land to the city.
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