A new attempt to stop the partial demolition of the existing stadium at Green Point by the Cape Environmental Protection Association was brought against the city on Monday, a City of Cape Town spokesperson told Engineering News Online.

On Friday the association had brought an urgent interdict against the city, which had subsequently failed, as it was considered “unreasonably short notice”.

In a telephonic interview the City of Cape Town’s spokesperson Pieter Cronje said that the city had been “served papers on Monday at 09:00” and an appeal would be heard  at the High Court, in Cape Town, on Tuesday at 10:00.

“We are preparing to go to court tomorrow,” he affirmed.

In response to Engineering News Online question on the demolition of the existing stadium, Cronje said that demolition had continued over the weekend, including on Monday, with over 80% demolition completion.

On Friday, existing stadium demolition was around 75% complete.

“We are continuing with the existing stadium demolition and excavation for the new stadium. We will start pouring cement for the foundation from next week onwards.”

After demolition, the existing stadium would be used as a construction yard for the new stadium, he said.
“The City’s stance is to oppose the legal action on the demolition of the existing stadium because we want to meet the deadline for completion,” he stated.

The Green Point stadium was scheduled for completion by the end of 2009.

On Friday, Cronje was adamant that there was no time to build a new stadium in a different location and that none of the existing stadiums could be upgraded to 68000-seater capacity to cater for the World Cup event.

“It is important to us that stadium construction continues, not only as the venue for the 2010 soccer Word Cup semifinal, but also to attract the R10-billion public sector investment, and the many billions more in private-sector investment linked to the 2010,” he stressed.