Greenpoint Stadium

Greenpoint Stadium for all to see
27 August 2008
by Michael Williams
The Greenpoint Stadium Visitor Centre has been open to the public since the beginning of this year but many people have still not heard of it. The visitor centre gives residents and visitors to Cape Town the opportunity to view the stadium construction site and progress, as well exhibitions and performances related to Greenpoint Stadium and the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Greenpoint Stadium is to host eight matches, including a semi-final, in the World Cup, but its construction has been met with some resistance from local residents. The purpose of the visitor centre is largely to answer questions from sceptical residents, but also to add value to the area as a tourist attraction and point of interest. Among the visitor centre’s features is a collection of South African soccer memorabilia, a guided tour of the stadium and lecture series run by stadium contractors Murray and Roberts and WBHO, documentary screenings, and a one-man theatre show about the history of the area.

The visitor centre also runs a free schools programme, which gives children information on careers in engineering, architecture and construction and takes them on tours of the surrounding area. At the opening of the centre, Executive Mayor of the City of Cape Town Helen Zille, said that she hoped that the impressive structural work on the stadium would encourage young visitors to study engineering and related fields – where skills are in short supply in South Africa.

The visitor’s centre is situated behind the Old Greenpoint Stadium in Vlei Road, Greenpoint.