The Buffalo City council has pulled the plug on plans to build a 40,000-seater stadium in East London.

Mayor Zintle Peter announced the decision at the Eastern Cape government's 2010 summit held in Port Elizabeth this weekend.

Construction for the multi-purpose venue, which was earmarked to host major soccer, rugby and swimming events, was set to start next year, according to previous statements.

Peter said she felt there was no need for East London to have such infrastructure, and building such a stadium would be a "complete waste of money".

"We are no longer looking at building the new stadium. Instead, we are exercising other options that we have on the table," Peter said, while refusing to explain the other "options".

Buffalo City consistently loses out on hosting major international events because the city does not have a facility capable of catering for big games.

Former Buffalo City mayor Sindisile Maclean, who unveiled the plan to build the stadium in May last year, at the time said the purpose of building the stadium was not only the 2010 soccer World Cup but was also to assist other sport codes like rugby.

However, Peter said she understood the stadium was going to be built solely for the 2010 soccer World Cup.

"We did not get the status of being a host city. We are only going to be a base camp, so what's the use."

Peter said her decision had been motivated by her recent visit to the World Cup in Germany and that the visit had been "informative and an eye-opener" for her.

She also announced that some refurbishment would be done on existing stadiums, but said she was not sure which venue would be refurbished.

"During my visit to Germany, I found out that base camps only have to have small stadiums. There is therefore no need for East London to have a big stadium. It will be a complete waste of money," Peter said.

Peters was asked whether she was aware of the fact that the Southern Spears might be in the Super 14 next year and could play some of their matches in East London, and that the Absa Stadium can only hold hold 10,000 spectators.

"We never said we wanted to build the stadium for rugby, it was for the (2010) tournament and that was it. We cannot just build a stadium that is going to be a white elephant afterwards."

Eastern Cape Sports MEC Noxolo Abraham-Ntantiso said she was not in a position to comment about Buffalo City's decision. "I don't know about their (BCM) plans. However, I think for future purposes, they might need a big stadium."

Daily Dispatch
 
Publisher: I-Net Bridge
Source: I-Net Bridge