Stadium-fee petition gains traction
MORE than 1 000 signatures have been garnered to prevent an annual tariff being imposed at the Chatsworth Stadium.
Last week, Desmond Kylas, an executive member of the Active Citizens Movement, started the petition in the hope that the city would scrap its intention of charging residents R180 a year to use the facility.
Kylas, who has been stationed outside the stadium for two hours every evening since last Monday, said that to date he had garnered about 800 signatures, with an additional
300 captured online
He intends handing it over to city officials later this month.
“The stadium offers a safe environment for almost 100 families on a daily basis to exercise and keep fit.
“The introduction of a permit system is equivalent of a ‘Pass’ document of the previous regime. Our community should be free to utilise their own facilities without any restrictions. A fee will deter many from exercising at the stadium,” said Kylas.
Fairness
Shallcross resident and community activist, Devan Naicker, who also walks at the stadium, had questioned whether residents using the new R4.7 million athletics centre in Pietermaritzburg, which also had a running track, also had to pay for a permit.
President Cyril Ramaphosa opened the Msunduzi Athletics Centre, near the Harry Gwala Stadium, last week.
“If they are not being charged, then this won’t be fair.”
Residents have been encouraged to purchase their permits before the end of the month, as the pay policy will be implemented on February 1.
According to the City, the yearly tariff had been effective for about 18 years but the stadium’s previous supervisor had allegedly not adhered to it.
The pay policy is in effect at the Kings Park Athletics Stadium, which also has a running track.
The money collected would be used for regular maintenance and upkeep.
The permit costs R180 per adult and R80 for children aged 17 and under. Senior citizens, over 65, can enter free.
The petition can be accessed by logging on to https://dearethekwini.co.za/ stadium/