uMhlathuze municipality has provided an update on the Sports Complex renovation project.
The municipality revealed when DStv Premiership side Richards Bay will be able to use the stadium as their home ground again.
On Thursday, the City of uMhlathuze Mayor Cllr Xolani Ngwezi, with City manager Nkosenye Zulu and deputy City manager Mr Sibusiso Ngcobo conducted a site visit.
They were assessing the progress on the refurbishment and renovation of the stadium at the uMhlathuze Sports Complex in Richards Bay.
In the statement released on Friday, the municipality revealed that phase one has been completed.
The second phase is set to be concluded in time for the 2023/24 season.
The venue is getting upgraded so that it meets the PSL standards in the Premiership.
PHASE ONE COMPLETE
![The Mayor [in the middle] and officials on site visit at uMhlathuze Sport Complex](https://farpost.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/IMG-20221111-WA0010969-1.jpg)
Phase 1 of the work involved waterproofing.
The project’s second phase is about constructing new entrances and access roads. The paving for VIPs, players and officials areas. Renovation of stormwater and walkways and provision of grandstands to increase capacity from 4000 to 9000 seats.
Provision of market stalls and ablution facilities, internal refurbishment and replacement of components in the Sports facility, and etcetera.
In addition, there will be the erection of Canvas roofing and general external aesthetics.
The City has budgeted close to R200 million for the refurbishment and renovation of the stadium in 2022/2023 financial year.
With Natal Rich Boys currently in second place in the DStv Premiership, the exco of the City has approved payment and recommitted their sponsorship.
CITY BACKS RICHARDS BAY
Furthermore, the Executive Council (EXCO) of the City of uMhlathuze met and approved a R1 million payment in a form of sponsorship for the Richards Bay.
“The Natal Rich Boys is a team which is the pride of the City and currently playing in PSL,” reads the statement.
“The City is extremely proud of the astounding performance of the Richards Bay.
“The team is currently number two on the DStv Premiership log.
“It is upon that good performance by the team that the City had to balance between funding service delivery programs and also consider the Sports and Recreation aspect.”
City of uMhlathuze Mayor Ngwezi says the City is investing so much in the stadium refurbishment so that the Natal Rich Boys can play its home games in Richards Bay.
“Having the Natal Rich Boys playing here at home will greatly enhance our local economy,” said Ngwezi.
“We expect many soccer lovers to flood in numbers in the City to watch soccer.
“And that will definitely mean more spending from them.
“We expect our accommodation to be as busy as ever.”
Deputy City manager Infrastructure Sbusiso Ngcobo assured the City Mayor that work at the stadium will be done by the 23rd of March, 2023.
On Tuesday, there will be a joint media briefing to reveal plans for the club.
And the latest update on the partnership between the city and the club.
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