Plans for a park development next to the Sandbaai Hall have received community support.
The development includes an eco-park with pathways and benches where visitors can enjoy abundant natural plant and birdlife, a heated indoor swimming pool with wheelchair-friendly access, volleyball and pickleball courts, an outdoor playpark and a fenced-off dog park.
A model of the proposed amenities is currently on display in the hall’s foyer.
Overstrand DA mayoral candidate Cllr Clinton Lerm described the proposed development as a wonderful initiative. “It is vital that communities drive projects such as these and not councillors,” he said.
One resident already pledged funds and 10 young antelope that will be released into the environmental park.
Chris Reid, chairman of the Sandbaai Community Voluntary Improvement District NPC that drives the proposal, explained that last Monday’s meeting was to gather suggestions, input and support before a land-lease application was submitted to the Overstrand Municipality.
He said the theft of tortoises and rare plants on the piece of land, the threat of vagrants and illegal land invasion, and unsightly dumping motivated the concept. To address these concerns, he said it would be better to develop it into a hub for recreation, sport, and natural beauty that Sandbaai and neighbouring communities could utilise.
Professor Jeanine Vellema emphasised developing the land for the benefit of the Sandbaai community, because failure to do so could result in it being sold off. “If we don’t use it, we’ll lose it,” she warned
The vision is for the park to become self-sufficient and off-grid, with solar panels providing electricity and rainwater retention tanks supplying water for ablutions and the swimming pool. Sponsorships and letting the facilities to local sports clubs and schools will support the upkeep and further development.
Reid pointed out that the land was already zoned for community use, which counted in their favour. “If not, we could lose the only large plot of land left in Sandbaai,” he said.
Community suggestions included a skate park for teenagers, a tea garden, a putt-putt course and an indoor venue.
For more information and to have your say about the proposal, visit www.sandbaaipark.co.za or send an email to admin@sandbaaipark.co.za
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