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Crucial to keep sports stadiums in good shape
Date published 5 April 2009
A lot of work is going into creating world-class stadiums, either new or refurbished, in which to host matches during the soccer World Cup next year.
But maintaining these stadiums will become a more important focus afterwards to ensure the lasting benefits of this investment.
Jacques Mostert, head of Broll Facilities Management, says retaining the "top-class international" condition of South Africa's new sports stadiums will be important when it comes to maximising the value created during the World Cup, if the country hopes to attracts other international sporting events.
"Proper maintenance will also add to the integrity of the assets - increasing their lifespans, growing their values and ensuring higher income generation as they become more appealing to event organisers."
Broll Facilities Management manages Buffalo Park stadium in East London, all elements of the Liberty Life Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg excluding the pitch, and is responsible for the technical maintenance at Supersport Park in Centurion.
This kind of facilities management is a highly specialised function and Mostert believes an experienced facilities management company can add enormous value while ensuring best value for money spent.
"Broll places a manager on site to co-ordinate and run all aspects of managing the facility. The company does comparitive preparations before moving on site, including completely work-flow studies."
"This enables us to maximise the staff's time usage and allow each person to focus on their core function. Facilities managers can deal with the complete upkeep on the stadium, as well as maintenance as a whole. This includes everything from managing water and elecritical reticulation to security, traders around the stadium, cleaning and emergency services. With the high and rising cost of utilities, energy management has become very important," says Mostert.
"This encompasses everything from making the right choice about when to run off Eskom power or generators for specific events."
Precision energy management is cricial, especially considering that a single incorrect switching of stadium lights could cost R75 000.
Author: Sunday Weekend Argus, Property
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