Where to with waterfront
2011-09-08
Lise Beyers
SITTING on the grassy banks of the Berg River in Paarl and looking out onto Paarl Mountain is a truly idyllic experience. One can then not help but think how wonderful it would be, lazing on these very banks at a wine bar or cosy restaurant. Or even spending an evening or two in a hotel on the riverbank, listening in silence as the water gently ripples by. For many years this has been a bone of contention in Paarl. On the one hand the sublime setting for a waterfront development on the vast river which flows through the heart of Paarl and on the other hand the sports clubs which have for years had their home here. With the 2010 Soccer World Cup in sight, plans were hastily tabled for the redevelopment of the Parys cricket grounds as a soccer base camp and fan park with hotel, conference centre and business park. This was then approved in principle by the Drakenstein Municipal Council and lavish plans were made public. This included restaurants, a retail/décor centre aimed at the tourist market, a fourstar hotel with 120 rooms, a conference centre, media centre, gym, wellness centre and sports science institute. But today there is still no sign of such a development. Both Heritage Western Cape and the Drakenstein Heritage Association have objected to the approval granted to the Paarl Waterfront Development by the Department of Environmental Affairs. And there is no end in sight to negotiations between developers, the Municipality and the sports clubs as to the relocation of the clubs. But why must only one stakeholder be involved here and why can the clubs not be incorporated into a waterfront development? These are questions asked by well-known local resident and businessman, John Phillips. “Paarl is one of the only towns in the country that has such a beautiful, substantial river running through it. There is no reason why there have been no active attempts for development. “Many cities create waterfront developments on fake lakes, but we have the perfect setting and nothing is being done.” Furthermore Phillips suggests, there is no reason why the various clubs situated on the river banks cannot play a significant role in adding vibrancy to the completed project. “Undoubtedly, restaurants, a hotel, certain retail outlets and recreational facilities, including small rowing boats, would be a major attraction to tourists. “In fact this development could surely be the catalyst to turn Paarl into a major tourist destination. I would estimate between 800 and 1000 jobs would be created with many more secondary jobs.” It is believed that the economic ripple effect on the rest of the town would be considerable, certainly to the benefit of every citizen.
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