Just got an interesting update. It's official, we are indeed getting the first artificial whitewater course in Africa. Yipee!!!! I really hope they don't make it too expensive and make a proper play hole and a decent play wave too!!! It says:
Africa’s 1st White-Water Stadium to be built
The Ash River in the Eastern Free State will be the venue for the only White-Water Stadium in Africa. This has been the firm conclusion by a number of parties who have been presented with the effect that such a project could have on South Africa. Dr Cameron McIntosh, 8 times SA Slalom Kayak Champion, with more than a decade of International competition is the brainchild behind the project. He has in the past month met with the Premier of the Free State Me Marshoff, The MEC for Sport-Mr Masithela, The MEC for Tourism-Me Mnumzane, The Office of the National Ministers of Sport as well as Water Affairs, The Chairman of the NLDTF and the CEO of Free State Sport-Mr Segwaba. The unanimous decision is that of constructing the stadium worth around R 15 Million.
In 2006 the project was kick-started by an injection of R 200 000 from the Dihlabeng Municipality. This saw the building of a flat-water course at the Bohlokong Township as well as acquiring of equipment and the formation of the Dihlabeng Slalom Club.
With the backing of the Free State and National government a steering committee has been formed consisting of CEO of Free State Sport, Mr Jeri Segwaba, Dihlabeng Slalom Club Development Officer, Dr McIntosh and Dihlabeng Local Municipality LED, Thandi Hadebe. This committee will oversee the next two Phases of the project.
Phase 2 of the project, to be completed in the next month, will be the initial design of the man-made canal including an EIA, Architectural drawings, landscaping and legal documentation. Heading up the design is the world renowned white-water engineering expert Ramon Ganyet from Spain. His team will include a number of local engineers and designers.
Phase 3 will be the construction of the venue as well as job training for the many people who will be employed to run the Stadium. The venue is located close to Bethlehem with easy access from the main tar road that links Clarens and Bethlehem. The main areas of importance will be a rafting company, coffee shop, education centre, sports excellence centre, accommodation units and a shop.
The SANWC will host numerous International Sporting events in the coming years with the goal being the 2013 Slalom World Championships.
For more information go to
www.amadonsadonsa.com