Showing posts with label World Cup 2010 Soccer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label World Cup 2010 Soccer. Show all posts

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Meet Bafana Bafana

This is our team for the world cup.
We support them and wish all an exciting month of soccer and festivities.

City Limits large Events during world cup

CITY OF CAPE TOWN - MEDIA RELEASE - 07 JUNE 2010

City limits large events during World Cup

The City of Cape Town would like to advise event organisers that any further applications for large events during the FIFA World Cup TM period may not be granted.

“In order to host the biggest single sporting event in the world, the Host City must run smoothly. All other available municipal, transport and security services have to ensure the event is staged safely and effectively,” explained Pieter Cronje, the City’s 2010 Spokesperson.

It is for this reason that the Host City Agreement, signed between FIFA and South African host cities, restricts any other major events. The City and the South African Police Services(SAPS) have considered and approved a number of events that will enhance the World Cup experience in Cape Town, but in light of the demands on resources it is unlikely that any further applications will be accepted.

The City is obligated to maintain an acceptable level of ‘normal’ service delivery to residents throughout the 2010 World Cup period. Furthermore, if there are several large events happening concurrently or in close succession, the SAPS may advise against holding some of the proposed events.

The City’s Events By-law applies to any event held within the area of jurisdiction of the City, including events held on both private and public land that impact on the resources of the City and the surrounding community. This By-Law does not apply to:
• Events of fewer than 50 persons where there is no amplified sound or temporary structures erected; and
• Small events such as family and community events held on private property or purpose built venues, subject to any other legislation. This exclusion does not apply to events or parts of events which by their nature, size or impact are considered outside the normal use parameters for the venue.

Anyone who wishes to organise a public event must apply to the City’s Events and Permitting Office on the prescribed form with full details of location, facilities, times, numbers, road access and closures and other information requested. The event cannot proceed without a permit. This requirement serves to ensure the safety of those attending, avoid disruption and limit inconvenience to surrounding areas.

Following an application, various aspects of the event are checked, including fire escapes and hazards, impact on traffic, health requirements, noise restrictions and the safety of any temporary structures. Public safety and security is an important consideration at events. The SAPS have to be advised and become involved in any significant event, together with the City’s Metro Police, Traffic Services and Law Enforcement. In addition, other municipal services may be required e.g. the supply of electricity, water and sanitation for the event and waste removal. Once all of these requirements have been met, a permit is issued.

Event organisers who do not apply for a permit, proceed with the event before it is granted, or deviate from their event plan run the risk of incidents which could lead to damage, injuries or even death. In cases where the events are non-compliant, organisers will be held accountable and could face legal action.

The event footprint for the hosting of the World Cup is far greater than just the Cape Town Stadium and its precinct. It includes the airport; main transport routes; key hotels for teams, officials and dignitaries; training grounds; the Fan Fest at the Grand Parade; the Fan Walk to the stadium; and the four fan jols(Public Viewing Areas), all funded by the City for free viewing and entertainment for residents and visitors to Cape Town.

While the City does not discourage gatherings at homes or on a small scale at safe venues, it must act responsibly by warning organisers and attendees of the risk of hosting non-compliant events.


End

Issued by: Communication Department, City of Cape Town

Media enquiries: Pieter Cronjé, Director: Communication and 2010 Spokesperson, City of Cape Town, Tel: 021 400 4592 or Cell: 082 465 4965

Monday, May 10, 2010

Road Closures during 2010 Soccer World Cup

CITY OF CAPE TOWN MEDIA RELEASE - 05 MAY 2010 - Road closures during World Cup

“Traffic will be affected on match days in Cape Town during the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ due to a number of necessary road closures. The City asks the public to be aware of these and to plan their routes and travel times accordingly. We apologise for any inconvenience caused,” said the City’s Director: Communication and 2010 Spokesperson, Pieter Cronje.

Public transport services have been extended as part of the City’s transport plan for the event. “We encourage commuters to utilise these extended public transport services offered by the City,” said Peter Sole, Manager: 2010 Transport Operations.

All trains and certain train stations will have additional security for the duration of the World Cup. In addition, the use of non-motorised transport and car pooling is greatly encouraged.

Detailed information appears below.

Impact of road closures during 2010 FIFA World CupTM - ROAD CLOSURES ON CAPE TOWN MATCH DAYS

Routes affected within the Central Business District (CBD)
Four hours before kick-off there will be no general access to Hertzog Boulevard between Civic Avenue and Heerengracht, along Hans Strijdom Avenue, and along Adderley Street between Strand Street and Hertzog Boulevard. Premises in this area will be provided with the necessary access via alternative routes and opening the left lane of affected roads as required. The intersections of Hans Strijdom, at Long and Loop Streets will remain open to crossing traffic at all times, but may close for short periods before and after matches to give priority to the Match Day shuttle.

CBD connections to Green Point, Sea Point, Fresnaye and Atlantic Seaboard
Western Boulevard will be closed in both directions, from Buitengragt in the central business district (CBD), to the Beach Road intersection at Three Anchor Bay. However, motorists will be able to exit the V&A Waterfront using Portswood Road, turning left into Western Boulevard, and then making a left turn only into Buitengragt.
Somerset Road will be closed from Buitengragt to Ebenezer Road in both directions between Ebenezer Road and York Road from 4 hours before the match to 4 hours after final whistle. From Ebenezer Road to York Road, the CBD-bound carriageway will be closed. However, two-way traffic will be accommodated on the Sea Point-bound carriageway. This route is intended for local access only, and should be avoided by non-residents.

Road closures will mostly impact upon traffic leaving the CBD during the evening peak period. People travelling to the Bantry Bay, Clifton and Camps Bay areas along the Atlantic Seaboard are advised to use Kloof Nek Road when leaving the city centre. During match day closures, public transport will be redirected onto High Level Road. It is thus recommended that, due to the expected congestion on High Level Road, Kloof Nek Road be used by general traffic.
On match days, it is expected that traffic volumes on High Level and Kloof Nek Roads as well as at the Buitengragt intersections will be very heavy. Thus, wherever possible, it is recommended that commuters adjust their routes and travel times to avoid these routes during road closures.

At the Stadium
Beach Road from Fritz Sonnenberg Road to Haul Road will be open for two-way traffic on the seaward carriageway. The mountain side carriageway will be open to accredited vehicles only. Beach Road from Haul to Portswood Road will be open for one-way traffic towards the CBD. Vehicles exiting the V&A Waterfront in the direction of Mouille Point will access Beach Road via Haul Road. Fritz Sonnenberg Road south-east of the Metropolitan Golf Course entrance, Vlei Road and Fort Wynyard Road will be closed to all but accredited vehicles.

ROAD CLOSURES FOR THE DURATION OF THE 2010 EVENT

Around FIFA Fan Fest™ on Grand Parade
The Grand Parade in the centre of Cape Town, near Cape Town Station, is the venue for the FIFA Fan Fest™. This is a festival venue at which all the matches played will be televised on big screens in addition to daily live entertainment. Minimal road closures will enhance accessibility to the venue. As of 1 May the closures will be:-
· Lower Plein Street between Darling and Castle Streets in the direction of Cape Town Station. Lower Plein Street will remain open for traffic moving between Castle and Darling Streets in the direction of the mountain, and
· Corporation Street between Longmarket and Darling Streets.

Between 6 June and 14 July the following additional road closures will be in place:
· Darling Street between Buitenkant and Plein Streets will be closed.
· The eastbound (Woodstock direction) carriageway of Darling Street between Plein and Adderley Streets will be closed for the duration.
· Plein Street between Longmarket and Darling Streets will operate one-way only in the direction of Darling Street.
· Corporation and Parade Streets will be closed to general traffic between Caledon and Darling Streets with the exception of vehicles requiring access to premises in these streets.
· Lower Plein Street will be open daily only for one-way traffic in the direction of the mountain in the morning up to 09:30 after which the road will be closed to traffic.

Around the Stadium
Fritz Sonnenberg Road south-east of the Metropolitan Golf Course entrance, Vlei Road and Fort Wynyard Road will be closed with access for accredited vehicles only.
Granger Bay Boulevard from Western Boulevard Circle to Beach Road will be closed to all vehicles.

IMPACT OF ROAD CLOSURES ON NORMAL PUBLIC TRANSPORT
Public transport services that, for any portion of their routes, operate along closed or restricted roads may have some route section deviations. Bus services provided by Golden Arrow will be affected by the envisaged road closures in the Green Point area as well as the CBD on both match and non-match days. The affected services in the different areas, as well as their rerouting, are listed below:

Bus services travelling through the Green Point area
On match days, the section of Somerset Road in Green Point, i.e. between York Road and Buitengragt, will be closed to traffic.
All bus services from the CBD travelling through the Green Point area will be redirected to High Level Road, as will all buses travelling from the Camps Bay area through Green Point towards the CBD. Buses will be able to enter Main Road from High Level Road along Cavalcade and Glengariff Roads using existing bus stops on High Level Road.

Bus services entering the CBD
All bus services affected by the road closures will be redirected. Golden Arrow is still to confirm the new route, but all services will
terminate at the Golden Acre. Updated information is available from the 24/7 Transport Information Centre on 0800 65 64 63. Road
closures will have a minimal impact on services entering the CBD via Darling Street.

MINIBUS TAXI SERVICES
The minibus taxi industry is being consulted with regard to routes and pick-up/drop-off areas that have to be rerouted or moved. These will be communicated as soon as finality is reached.

SWITCH TO PUBLIC TRANSPORT
All fans and commuters travelling to the CBD (City Centre) are strongly encouraged to use public transport, non-motorised transport and car pooling. The World Cup period is an ideal opportunity to try out the extended public transport services. Trains and certain train stations will have additional security measures in place for the duration of the 2010 FIFA World Cup™.


End

Issued by: Communication Department, City of Cape Town

Media enquiries: Pieter Cronje, Director: Communication, City of Cape Town, Tel: 021 400 4592 or Cell: 082 465 4965

Peter Sole, Manager: 2010 Transport Operations, City of Cape Town, Tel: 021 400 4735 or Cell: 084 222 1462

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Huge Risk for Providers of 2010 Accommodation

Hotel, bed and breakfast (B&B) and home owners looking to provide accommodation to the estimated 500 000 visitors during the 2010 World Cup are opening themselves up to huge potential risks by failing to take out appropriate insurance cover..

Clint Harker, Head of Insurance at Pinion Insurance Brokers, an Aon Group Company, says that South Africans should not necessarily assume that they are covered for incidents and events that occur while renting out their homes to visiting soccer fans.”Clients face the real possibility of being sued by foreign visitors and not having any covers to meet the ensuing expenses.”

Harker points to a recent case in which a client was sued by an American family for well in excess of R20 million due to a liability claim against a South African citizen.
Harker says it is possible for people renting out their primary residences and holiday homes during the tournament to obtain liability cover that is not normally available on traditional personal lines policies.

Harker also advises that B&B and private individuals could benefit by specifying their cover for the duration of the tournament.

“It is important to be aware of how costly disruptions to services due to unforeseen circumstances could be during the four weeks of the tournament,” says Harker. Owners of hotels and B&B’s should assess whether they are covered for loss of revenue due to instances such as cancellations, staff stay-aways and failure of essential equipment such as air conditioners or heaters.

“Arranging cover for this will be particularly important for B&B’s and hotels in congested areas of Cape Town and Johannesburg; especially areas close to the soccer stadiums and fan parks, where parking is likely to cause congestion and possibly blocked entrances of premises.”
Noise pollution throughout the tournament is also likely to become a problem for establishments in areas close to major events. “Some insurance policies already include cover for noise pollution from the premises within 500 meters of the establishment. These policies may even include cover for the death or hospitalisation of “key members” (a spouse, manager or partner) of a business. However, it is dangerous to assume that these eventualities are automatically accounted for.”

Harker recommends that anyone offering accommodation during the tournament should consult with their insurance brokers to clarify whether their policy will cover them for all eventualities.

Sunday, November 15, 2009

The First Opening of the Cape Town 2010 Soccer Stadium - 14 November 09








The Cape Town 2010 Soccer Stadium in Greenpoint was opened last night by Premier Helen Zille and Executive Mayor Dan Plato, along with the team from WBHO and Murray & Roberts, for the official 'roof-wetting' ceremony.









What is usually an informal braai as a roof-wetting to any new building, turned out to be quite a spectacular evening for 2000 people. The contractors and representatives from the various professional teams were in attendance - Entertained by the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Richard Cock, Mezzo Suprano Magdalene Minnaar, The Twenty Tennors, Neal Prinz and the Sterling Electric Quartet.











These are some of the first photographs of the inside of the Cape Town 2010 Soccer Stadium.























The official hand-over to the City of Cape Town will be on Monday, 14th December 2009. In the Premier's own words, "Good Job! I knew I could trust this team."



Well done, City of Cape Town!






Photographs courtesy of Union Structural Engineering, taken by Norah Papanicolaou.