By Akanimo Sampson
The $8.5 million Caledonian Stadium refurbishment project in South Africa is on track.
The project which involves renovating the existing stadium to Premium Soccer League standards is expected to spark life back into the precinct and create an economically self-sustainable football precinct once complete.
The scope of works
The scope of works includes providing a new soccer museum and a multipurpose hall with a sport retail shop to attract tourists.
It will also feature a display of Tshwane Football Legends content, extends the existing spectator pavilion and related facilities while retaining the identified heritage aspects.
The existing clubhouse will be renovated to a new sports bar that can be leased to generate income, creating a new five-a-side soccer facility and a new skate park for inner city skating.
According to the MMC for Community and Social Development Services, Thabisile Vilakazi, it is of the utmost importance that the City ensures that it invests in sporting facilities.
“These are key points of recreation that provide significant benefits to our communities and provide opportunities for young people to hone and develop their sporting skills”, said Vilakazi.
Caledonian Stadium forms part of a rich and integral section of our history and sporting culture in Tshwane, and even relates to the development of professional soccer in South Africa.
It was founded in 1903, and was specifically built for the Arcadia Shepherds Football Club (known previously as Callies), which used the stadium for more than 50 years.
The site used to be administered by the Caledonian Society from the late 1800s, and the stadium’s name is derived from this group.
In 1916, the society sold the land to the Pretoria Municipality on condition that the facility should be reserved for the sport of football.
There is so much that one can say about the history of this stadium and the success stories, too.
