Sunday Times E-Edition

Newlands heritage debate draws to a close

By LIAM DEL CARME

● With a significant deadline looming, former Springbok captain Wynand Claassen’s bid to have Newlands rugby stadium declared a heritage site appears to be cast in stone.

Claassen has dismissed critics who say professional rugby in Western Province would cease to exist if the stadium is declared a heritage site. There is little doubt, however, the sale of Newlands stadium is critical to the financial future of the entity as it will settle debt that has been accrued through previous financial misadventure.

Public participation in the debate over whether the stadium should be declared a heritage site will close on Tuesday and it will then be down to Heritage Western Cape to determine whether Newlands falls in the broad definition of something that is worth preserving for future generations.

Potential deal breaker

Should it be declared a heritage site as Claassen has been agitating for, it may prove a deal breaker for the franchise as it tries to tie the knot with an equity partner.

Claassen, however, is adamant the franchise’s finances should not be drawn onto the battle ground that will determine the stadium’s future.

“They find themselves in that position because of individuals who made poor decisions and they should probably be held to account,” said Claassen.

“To suggest that rugby will die in the Cape if Newlands is not sold is simply not true. Sponsors and stakeholders should be queuing up,” he told the Sunday Times.

However, Rian Oberholzer, who SA Rugby appointed administrator of Western Province, again underlined the gravity of the situation. “WP sold Newlands to Flyt and they hold the bonds. If the stadium isn’t taken over WP will face a very real financial crisis. In fact, it cannot exist. Anybody can see this,” said an increasingly exasperated Oberholzer.

R112m before interest

WP owe Flyt an original amount of R112m which it used to settle previous debt.

Claassen — who has received abusive emails and texts and may very well be accused of brinkmanship — said in a media release WP should find other means to solve their financial problems and stressed he did not want to stop the sale of Newlands.

“We are trying to conserve the Newlands stadium as a heritage for the broader public good and, in particular, we feel that the Newlands stadium could become a very valuable tourist destination.”

Heritage Western Cape has not indicated how long it will take to rule on the matter. Whatever their ruling, as things stand, it will likely go through an appeals process.

Sport

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2023-01-29T08:00:00.0000000Z

2023-01-29T08:00:00.0000000Z

https://times-e-editions.pressreader.com/article/282123525646139

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