Cape Town Stadium Aerial
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The Cape Town Stadium is a gigantic stadium, created for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. It is located in Green Point, between Signal Hill and the Atlantic Ocean, close to the CBD. The stadium is surrounded by an urban park and is within close proximity of the V&A Waterfront. It connects to the Waterfront via a new road connection, the Granger Bay Boulevard.
The original name of the multi-purpose stadium was the Green Point Stadium. It was partly demolished in 2007 to make way for the new stadium. In October 2009 the official name of the stadium became the Cape Town Stadium. The remaining section of the original 18,000-seater Green Point Stadium became the Green Point Athletics Stadium, opening in 2015 with a seating capacity of 4 500.
The construction of the Cape Town Stadium took 33 months which began in March 2007. Joint contractors Murray & Roberts and WBHO completed the project at a cost of R4.4 billion. On 14 December 2009 the stadium was officially handed over to the City of Cape Town . The Cape Town Executive Mayor Alderman Dan Plato received the keys to the stadium, officially confirming the opening of the Cape Town Stadium. The ceremony included over 200 invited guests and media representatives from around the world.
Modern and Environmental-Friendly Design
The stadium has become one of the most iconic landmarks of Cape Town. Its location, environment and legacy operation influenced the environmentally- and technologically-advanced design. The shape resembles the traditional hats worn by Venda women, one of the many South African cultures. The hanging roof structure with no supports inside the bowl is one of the most complex concrete and roof stadium designs ever undertaken. The roof design allows air and light inside. The Teflon-coated, woven fiberglass façade made with thick glass panels, reduces the noise plus it prevents strong winds and rains from hindering games, matches or performances.
The Cape Town Stadium had a seating capacity of 64,100 during the 2010 World Cup. It is now seats 55,000 with event suites and club rooms replacing the rows on either side of the top tier. There are 900 toilets and 360 urinals, 16 lifts, and 115 entry turnstiles. It also features corporate hospitality suites, medical, training, and conferencing and banqueting facilities. There are various rooms at the stadium that are up for hire and prices range from R5 000 all the way to R20 000 and beyond.
The Business Venture Investments 1317 consortium, consisting of South Africa’s Sail Group and French-based Stade de France, holds the service contract to operate the stadium from January 2009 onward. Their purpose is to operate the stadium and ensure that it remains a sustainable multi-purpose venue after the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
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Massive Multipurpose Stadium
The Cape Town Stadium hosts several events such as the World Rugby Sevens, soccer matches, exhibitions, festivals, music concerts, and other sporting and religious events. However, for years now it only hosts an average of 81 events a year. The stadium needs about R60 million a year in maintenance. But it generates income less than half the annual cost of maintaining it. To solve the problem and to make the stadium financially viable, the city has implemented various initiatives to improve the business viability of the stadium, such as establishing and approving a business plan for commercialization and amending the zoning conditions for the stadium precinct to enable commercial activities to generate revenue.
A Cape Town Stadium Tour which take you all around the massive stadium are also offered for a fee. During the tour, you will learn more about the construction and the maintenance upkeep of this work of art facility. During the tour, you will also view the top suites, the world-class changing rooms, and even the stadium jail.
Visiting the Cape Town Stadium is definitely a unique experience!
