Bellville Velodrome's fate in limbo: City councillors demand accountability

This week, the City’s Economic Growth Directorate confirmed that the fate of the iconic Bellville Velodrome remains uncertain, with no conclusive answers available.

During an oversight visit to the facility, councillors from the Patriotic Alliance (PA) called for accountability regarding its future.

Nearly a year ago, City Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis announced that the property had returned to the City following its previous lease and management by a developer in 2019.

IOL previously reported that the agreement was fueled with a dispute at the time with Devmet Property Development group, who had acquired the lease as they had to pay the City R25 million in a period of 18 months before they could trade.

In 2009, Devmet Property Development group, including Devmark, won a tender to develop the 11.5 ha Velodrome area into the R3 billion "Galleria Development," an upscale mixed-use neighborhood. 

A dispute arose over Devmark's refusal to pay for a R25 million road upgrade, leading to a court case and arbitration found the sale agreement void.

Devmet appealed a 2013 land use approval, which was dismissed in 2015 and  then approached the Western Cape High Court in August 2015 to review this decision.

The City settled the disagreement through a High Court order in 2019 to expedite dispute resolution, concluding all legal actions.

Hill-Lewis said much maintenance work had to be done at the facility with an estimated cost of R300 million to fully restore it but that decisions were under way on what would happen next.

Now ten months later, the City still does not have sight of an answer when queried by the Cape Argus.

The City's Economic Growth Directorate said in response: “The City of Cape Town is currently investigating possible options regarding the future of the Bellville Velodrome property, including exploring the previously awarded transaction and development concept. The purpose of this review is to establish the most suitable and sustainable future use of this important public facility and precinct. No decision has been taken at this stage.”

Following an oversight visit to the iconic Bellville Velodrome this week, Patriotic Alliance (PA) councillor, Cheslyn Steenberg said they were holding the City accountable.

"What we had seen there was horrendous, the facility  was not in a great shape," said Steenberg.

"The purpose of this oversight was to hold the city to account and to ensure that the maintenance is being done and to understand what is happening there and to save the Bellville Velodrome.

"We engaged athletes there and they were happy to see that we were there as we continue with this provincially and nationally.

"We will also petition council to ensure that they play their role.

"It is one of its kind in Africa, we do not want to see it being sold or under ruins."

Earlier the GOOD Party also called for transparency and began an online petition which received over 8000 responses.

Insight into the restoration included: R25 million for electrical work, R30 million towards a new athletics track, R20 million for the entrances, R10 million for the Roofing, R20 million for access roads, R35 million towards parking, R10 million for CCTV and  R25 million for building works etc.

Wesley Neumann, GOOD City of Cape Town Councillor said: "While the Velodrome matter was previously tabled on several Portfolio Committee agendas, it has since disappeared without explanation."

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