THOHOYANDOU – "We are not just promising, but we are committed," said the Thulamela Municipality's Sports and Recreation Officer, Mr Ronald Makhadi.

In an interview with Mirror this week, he revealed that a contractor is busy with the refurbishment of the Makwarela Stadium. According to him, an amount of R1,4 million will be spent on the project. The money will be spent on the construction of combination courts, the building of a bulletproof ticket booth, the building of offices, bathrooms, an ablution block and first aid rooms, and the upgrading of the main pavilion.

Makhadi stated that the project will be completed by the end of June this year. He further indicated that they have set aside an amount of R1,8 million for the renovation of the Malamulele Stadium. The contractor has, according to him, already started with the work and is expected to be finished in four months' time.

The refurbishment of the Malamulele Stadium will cover the renovation of the main pavilion, construction of an additional ablution block, resurfacing of the courts, replacement of both the main and the inside security fences and the renovation of the existing ablution block.

He further indicated that a fraction of the amount will be used in the building of the water reservoir within the stadium premises. Makhadi revealed that the construction work of the Thohoyandou Stadium Phase II project will start within the next month.

The renovation of the Thohoyandou Stadium will, according to him, not disturb any of the Black Leopards' league fixtures. The multi-million rand project will cover the renovation of the three pavilions, including the grandstand, building of the changing rooms, referees' rooms, media rooms, six suites, 11 commentary booths and the construction of an additional ablution block that will cater for about 20 000 people. The municipality will spend an amount of R8 million on the project.

According to him, they have spent an amount of R158 000 towards the renovation of the Thohoyandou combination courts, a project that was completed last Friday.

Other projects that will be started in a matter of weeks include the upgrading of the Thohoyandou Indoor Sports Center's rubber floor, the purchasing of the additional equipment for the centre and the construction of the Makonde Stadium Phase II.

An amount or R442 000 has been set aside for the Thohoyandou Indoor Sports Centre, while R270 000 will be spent towards the completion of the Makonde Stadium project.