Not just cricket at St George’s
Historic ground forced to seek other business to stay afloat
PORT Elizabeth’s St George’s Park Cricket Ground can no longer rely on making money just from the sport and is investing in upgrading its facilities to survive.
Ground operators are conducting upgrades in the hope of attracting more business.
While some refurbishment has taken place, other proposed upgrades await finalisation as stadium operators hope to turn the cricket ground into a venue fit for social and corporate events.
St George’s Park Cricket Ground is the home of Eastern Province Cricket and the Warriors.
EP Cricket president Donovan May would not give an exact figure on the planned upgrades, saying only it could run into millions of rands.
“The stadium is a very old lady. It will be difficult to give an exact figure, as we still have to conduct a proper assessment of what needs to be done, but we’re talking about millions of rands,” May said.
He said they were awaiting the finalisation of the contract that would see the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality take over the maintenance of the stadium.
“To maintain the stadium without any assistance would not be wise in a business sense,” he said.
EP Cricket commercial manager Leigh Deyzel said the stadium had to generate more income to remain sustainable.
“We cannot rely on cricket alone . . . The historic grounds create a unique backdrop for guests using the stadium’s many venues.”
Certain upgrades have taken place, including the upgrade of the President’s Suite, St George’s corporate club and ablution facilities.
Deyzel said future upgrades would include refurbishment of the players’ changing room areas, as well as the stadium itself.
“We have hosted a number of events unrelated to cricket in the past such as concerts, family days and other sports like night tennis, golf days.”
Inkanyezi chief executive Andrew Binning said: “Inkanyezi has already provided systems and marketing activities which promote the use of the stadium to the public and business.”
The company was brought in by St George’s Park Cricket Ground operators to attract and source new business.
Nelson Mandela Bay sports, recreation, arts and culture executive director Noxolo Nqwazi said they had been approached by EP Cricket for assistance with urgent repair work.
“This facility is . . . one of the oldest stadiums in the country,” Nqwazi said .
“To preserve this asset, it was decided to assist EP Cricket with a grant of R400 000 for immediate repairs to the public ablution facilities at the stadium.”
While the stadium looks for business elsewhere, cricket fans can look forward to three international Proteas matches in the coming months.
The Proteas will play against Australia in an ODI on October 9 and against Sri Lanka in a test from December 26 to 30, followed by an ODI on January 28.