NAMIBIA’s INDEPENDENCE STADIUM FACELIFT SET FOR AUGUST

The refurbishment of the Independence Stadium in Windhoek is expected to start in August and will cost just over N$83 million, the Ministry of Sport, Youth, and National Service.

That figure could rise to N$125 million if the City of Windhoek sells the open area on the southern part of the stadium to the sports ministry, executive director Audrin Mathe said.

The City of Windhoek wants N$25 million for the area earmarked for parking and a high-performance center.

Mathe said the ministry would engage the City of Windhoek’s leadership to see if donating the piece of land is a possibility.

“This exercise, which includes the representation of the chief executive forum, is to raise funds to renovate Independence Stadium, which was built in 1959. This is a platform for the public and private sector to assist by upgrading the infrastructure to a certain standard,” he said.

“The year 2027 is very important for Namibia with the country scheduled to co-host world cricket with South Africa and Zimbabwe,” he said.

The ministry is already assured of N$50 million the government earlier this year reserved for the Independence Stadium makeover. Namcor pledged N$1 million towards the project, with various institutions also promising to come on board.

The building is projected to cost N$18,999,150, balustrading and handrails N$ 1,618,050, while external water and sewerage reticulation expenses will amount to N$621 000.

The replanting of grass, irrigation, and track field installation will total N$13,616 00, with the budget for team benches and a players’ tunnel standing at N$488,750.

Furthermore, covered VIP parking, open parking and paving, entrance gates, and fencing amount to N$4,485,000, while the VIP and stadium seating has a budget of N$11,442,500. The signage and flag poles would cost N$ 368 000, and the installation of electricity N$3,450,000.

Access control, audio equipment, CCTV, and backup generators amount to N$3,622,500, with the data-installation budget standing at N$517,500.

The airconditioning and ventilation installation would cost N$1,265,000, while the lifts and fire protection installation budget is N$347,000 respectively.