27 September 2004

By Mogale City reporter

THE precinct of the Bob van Renen stadium, Jan Lotz stadium and an administrative complex is the vibrant centre of Mogale City's sporting culture.

And several sporting authorities, including the Krugersdorp Cycle Club, the Krugersdorp Rugby Club and Impala Gymnastics Club, have made the complex their home.

The Mogale City's department of sports and recreation also have their headquarters in adjacent offices.

The Bob van Renen stadium is a multi-purpose arena that can host a wide variety of track and field events as well as hockey and rugby matches.

The track boasts an electronic time-keeping system that complies with standards set down by Athletics South Africa (ASA), although, as Linda Ferns, ASA's events and marketing manager, says "ASA does not have any meets at the stadium".

Instead, Athletics Central Gauteng currently uses the Bob van Renen Stadium for professional track and field meets.

"The stadium can hold between 9 000 and 10 000 people, including 120 open VIP seats. But there is space for lot more on the grass embankments," says stadium manager Deville Basson.

The commentary box, change rooms, security control rooms and others are connected to a back-up generator, and maintenance on the floodlights is in the pipeline, according to Basson.

Apart from being used for athletics and rugby, the stadium also has one of the best cycling tracks in the country, with a cambered 500m cycling track that can accommodate cycling contest of various formats.

A fully equipped gymnasium, located below the VIP pavilion, is home to the Impala Gymnastics Club.

Lucky Mojaki, the acting manager for Mogale City's department of sports and recreation, says the precinct hosts a wide variety of sports events - "local residents also play and hold regular darts competitions at the precinct".

For the media, there are cubicles with a good view of both the track and field that are equipped to handle radio and TV broadcasts, while a braai lapa is available for functions and other social occasions.

The adjacent Jan Lotz stadium, with a capacity of 2 000, is a venue for cricket, soccer and rugby games and its upgraded floodlights make it possible for day and night cricket matches.

Mojaki added that soccer clubs and schools from the surrounding communities often make use of the stadia, while various Krugersdorp High Old Students' Association Clubs regularly use both stadiums for cricket, hockey, mini-cricket and mini-hockey.

For more information, contact Lucky Mojaki, the acting manager for Mogale City's department of sports and recreation on (011) 951-2376.