Waterfront project a ''big boost'' for Paarl
2008-08-21
May Saal
THE Paarl Waterfront Development will constitute a major economic injection in Paarl and surrounding areas. The project has a capital value of R900 million to R1 billion, and consists of the development of the Parys cricket grounds on the bank of the Berg River for a hotel, business park, and residential units around a sing- le cricket pitch. At a recent meeting of the Drakenstein Mayoral Committee it was pointed out that this is the biggest development in the Western Cape geared towards meeting the needs of the 2010 Soccer World Cup, after the Green Point Stadium. Phase one of the development, comprising of the hotel and cricket grounds, will focus on meeting the needs of Paarl 2010 Committee while the remaining phases will be completed after the World Cup. During the four years of construction, 2009 tot 2012, R250 million will be spent annually on the project. The development will contribute a levy to bulk services like water, roads, sewerage and electricity. The whole development compromises of a 120 room four star hotel, restaurants, a retail component, office blocks, a sports science institute with medical facilities, a wellness centre, a gymnasium, residential component, a floodlit soccer/fan park with temporary stands, a media and events centre, conference facility, a décor (retail) component, a site earmarked for a future filling station (north of Market Street) and ample surface and basement parking. All affected sports codes on the Parys sports fields will be relocated to alternative municipal land, possibly in Paarl North, with new upgraded facilities capable of meeting their present and future needs. The upgraded floodlit cricket field with new club house facilities at the centre of the project will be handed back to the municipality after 2010 at no cost, to be leased to cricket by the Municipality. The developer will upgrade two existing soccer fields within Mbekweni providing fencing, levelling, irrigation, grass, training floodlights and change room facilities. The developers, Queensgate, have committed themselves to take joint ownership of the maintenance and cleaning of a portion of the Berg River, from the N1 Bridge to the Lady Grey Bridge once a commissioned study on the Berg River has been completed by consultants. The developer, in partnership with the municipality, will also assist in jointly managing and upgrading the Arboretum by providing additional security, lighting, improved walkways, signage and an environmental and conservation management plan for the area.
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