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Building stadiums to be close call for South Africa
World Cup 2010 - 20 October, 2006
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South Africa's timeframe for stadium completion by the start of the 2010 World Cup is tight.
More than three years before the first kick, and the costs for the 2010 World Cup already has been projected at four times the original estimate.
The organizing committee released figures that put the total cost at USD 1.59 billion, easily surpassing the first estimate of USD 295 million.
New stadiums are to be constructed in Cape Town, Durban, Port Elizabeth, Polokwane and Mpumalanga. They must be completed by October 2009, and the upgraded stadiums must be finished by December 2008.
Danny Jordaan, the CEO of the 2010 World Cup Organising Committee, said there was little margin for error. But also said making the deadlines is a realistic goal.
"You must be mindful of the tight schedule we face in many cases... and just like any building, there are unforeseen factors that can cause delays such as rain and labour issues," he said.
Jordaan said there had been consultation with the construction industry on the deadlines, and they were deemed reasonable.
Companies have also assured the committee that there will be sufficient cement to meet project demands, after concerns that infrastructure upgrades, new stadiums and the Gautrain Rapid Rail link would deplete cement supplies.
"Generally, we are on track and ahead of where Germany was at the comparative phase," Jordaan said. "We are ahead of the schedule between us and FIFA, and they are happy with our progress."
Aside from building and revamping the stadiums, transport and security plans were also concerns. The committee again was confident that these are on the right track, and said it would be able ensure the safety of visitors to the country.
Transport and broadcasting infrastructure are at USD 486 million and USD 52.5 million, respectively.
The committee denied underestimating the original costs, and put the blame on changing plans due to new football stadiums are being built, rather than going with the original plan of renovating existing rugby grounds.
"There has been no increase in the costs of stadiums (but) we (will) have built five new stadiums specifically for football," Jordaan said.
One of the criticisms of the higher costs is the concern of what happens to the new stadiums after the tournament. As there will be 70,000-seat stadiums in Cape Town and Durban, South Africa's football league has difficulty filling small venues, sparking fears the new stadiums could become irrelevant after the World Cup.
More than three years before the first kick, and the costs for the 2010 World Cup already has been projected at four times the original estimate.
The organizing committee released figures that put the total cost at USD 1.59 billion, easily surpassing the first estimate of USD 295 million.
New stadiums are to be constructed in Cape Town, Durban, Port Elizabeth, Polokwane and Mpumalanga. They must be completed by October 2009, and the upgraded stadiums must be finished by December 2008.
Danny Jordaan, the CEO of the 2010 World Cup Organising Committee, said there was little margin for error. But also said making the deadlines is a realistic goal.
"You must be mindful of the tight schedule we face in many cases... and just like any building, there are unforeseen factors that can cause delays such as rain and labour issues," he said.
Jordaan said there had been consultation with the construction industry on the deadlines, and they were deemed reasonable.
Companies have also assured the committee that there will be sufficient cement to meet project demands, after concerns that infrastructure upgrades, new stadiums and the Gautrain Rapid Rail link would deplete cement supplies.
"Generally, we are on track and ahead of where Germany was at the comparative phase," Jordaan said. "We are ahead of the schedule between us and FIFA, and they are happy with our progress."
Aside from building and revamping the stadiums, transport and security plans were also concerns. The committee again was confident that these are on the right track, and said it would be able ensure the safety of visitors to the country.
Transport and broadcasting infrastructure are at USD 486 million and USD 52.5 million, respectively.
The committee denied underestimating the original costs, and put the blame on changing plans due to new football stadiums are being built, rather than going with the original plan of renovating existing rugby grounds.
"There has been no increase in the costs of stadiums (but) we (will) have built five new stadiums specifically for football," Jordaan said.
One of the criticisms of the higher costs is the concern of what happens to the new stadiums after the tournament. As there will be 70,000-seat stadiums in Cape Town and Durban, South Africa's football league has difficulty filling small venues, sparking fears the new stadiums could become irrelevant after the World Cup.
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