29 November 2007
The Cape Town city council is to sell the naming rights of the 68 000-seater, multi-purpose stadium on Green Point Common to national or international bidders.
Making the announcement at the Soccerex convention in Johannesburg this week, the council said the naming rights process would start on 15 January 2008, when tender documents will be made available on the City of Cape Town website and throught the city’s Tender Office.
At the same time, the council said it is looking for a consortium with the necessary skills and experience to operate the stadium complex on a long-term basis.
Documentation for the operating contract will be available from 18 February 2008. The city hopes to finalise the appointment of the operator by June 2008, subject to how much work the negotiations require.
According to Cape Town deputy mayor Grant Haskin, the city is confident that the lively interest shown at the international expo will translate into positive results.
“This stadium has the finest visual setting in South Africa and is close to the heart of downtown Cape Town, the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, the Cape Town International Convention Centre and within walking distance of some of the finest hotels, restaurants, entertainment and business facilities,” he said on Tuesday.
“Green Point stadium has a splendid view of Table Mountain, Robben Island, Table Bay, the Boland mountain ranges and the City Bowl.”
The Green Point Stadium is set to host nine matches during the 2010 Fifa World Cup – more than any other single South African stadium – including a semi-final match.
The multi-purpose stadium, suitable for football and rugby, music concerts and major events, will have 55 000 seats after 2010, as 13 000 seats needed for the World Cup semi-final will be replaced to create a more usable facility space.
The stadium will be set in 85 hectares of green space to be developed as a sport and recreation precinct.
Walkways will link the Green Point Park and stadium precinct to the Atlantic Ocean walkways, the historical Mouille Point lighthouse and the booming Victoria & Alfred Waterfront.
Source: BuaNews
