Centre brings 2010 stadium to life
15 January 2008
A visitors' centre has opened at Durban's 2010 Fifa World Cup venue, the Moses Mabhida Stadium, giving the public the chance to learn more about stadium design and to watch the ongoing construction from a viewing deck.
Visitors to the centre, for which there is no entry fee, will also be able to gain information on other developments planned by the city of Durban ahead of hosting the tournament.
The centre, which was opened by eThikwini Mayor Obed Mlaba in December, features user-friendly panels, graphics and photographs providing details on a number of aspects of the stadium's development.
One set of panels is about the Kings Park sporting precinct, in which the stadium is located; one set is about the stadium design and construction; one set provides information on the economic benefits of the stadium's construction; and another provides a history of Moses Mabhida, after whom the stadium is named.
Durban 2010 strategic projects unit head Julie-May Ellingson said that while the centre was open to all, a special focus had been put on providing information suitable for school children, bringing the stadium and other development plans closer to those who would reap the greatest benefit from the massive investment in the city.
Ellingson said the centre would make construction and development more comprehensible to youngsters and provide them with information on the range of careers offered in this sector.
Schools would be encouraged to bring pupils to the centre to share in the excitement of the build-up to 2010.
"The centre that you see today is only the first phase of this exciting project," Ellingson said. "Future expansions will include the provision of exciting construction and soccer-related activities, which will provide first-hand experience of these issues to the citizens of Durban."
"Our aim is to update the centre on a regular basis, so that people will enjoy a different experience each time they visit."
Leaving a legacy
The R2.6-billion stadium being constructed as a key venue for the World Cup is also to leave a legacy that promotes multi-disciplinary sporting codes including football, rugby and athletics.
As the backbone for the new Kings Park Sporting Precinct, the stadium is designed to be a multi-functional, hard-working and easy-to-maintain asset for Durban, from which every resident and ratepayer can benefit.
The creation of the precinct means that Durban will be one of the few African cities able to host most of the Olympic disciplines within a single sporting zone. By hosting major sporting and other events, the city aims to attract investment and increase employment beyond 2010.
The Moses Mabhida stadium would integrate a vast range of sports, commercial and retail activities, thus developing a new urban district where the stadium would play "a lively and essential role", Ellingson said.
SAinfo reporter
|
