MUTARE City Council’s director of engineering services, Maxwell Kerrith says the Sakubva Stadium turf will be the country’s best once ongoing refurbishments are completed.
At the beginning of the month, MCC embarked on a US$200 000 turf and drainage refurbishment likely to take nine months to complete.
Addressing delegates at the two-day Mutare City Council 2023 half year budget performance review which ended in Harare on Sunday, Kerrith said the Sakubva stadium turf will be the best.
“I can assure you that the turf of Sakubva Stadium will be the best in the country. This is a very positive move in the history of the city as the contractor contracted to do the work is taking time to do the work,” said Kerrith.
“The other good thing is that the contractor is also transferring the skills and knowledge on the refurbishments to our members of staff.”
Council deputy housing director and community services, Noel Mushangwe said: “We are working on what the Premier Soccer League (PSL) recommended. So right now we are upgrading the stadium to required standards. There are a lot of resources required to achieve those standards.
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“So after that we will then move on to VIP bucket seats and toilets, until we get to the required standards. It is work in progress.”
Speaking at the same occasion, the Mutare City Council Acting Town Clerk Blessing Chafesuka said council was open to partnerships for the long term renovation of the stadium.
“I would like to make it clear to our stakeholders that we are not blocking anyone to come on board and partner us to renovate the stadium to proper standards,” said Chafesuka.
“This is a public assumption that we are blocking partners. But, there are procedures and protocols that need to be done. May l advise aspiring partners to follow the procedures and protocols regarding this partnership.”
MCC has also embarked on the upgrading of the Chisamba ground in Sakubva high density stadium.
The turf removed from Sakubva stadium has been moved to Chisamba ground, which will be used by Division One teams.
The Sakubva stadium was last year barred by the Zifa First Instance Board (FIB) after failing to meet the required standards.
PSL team, Manica Diamonds whose home is Sakubva Stadium have been forced to use Gibbo stadium in Chiredzi.