Herzlia sports ground lease review raises safety and access concerns

A Cape Town sports field is at the centre of a dispute after a school moved to restrict public access, leaving the community concerned about the future of underprivileged children who depend on it.

The City of Cape Town is reviewing the lease of the United Herzlia School sports field after the school raised concerns about damage, safety incidents, and the financial burden of maintaining a facility open to the public.

According to a report submitted to Subcouncil 16 by the City's Recreation and Parks Department, the review focuses on lease clauses granting full public access when the field is not in use by the school, and those mandating use of the facility by Grass Boots FC on Saturdays and weekday evenings.

The grounds will be closed to the general public from Sunday, March 1, and the school maintains that it does not seek to exclude the public.

The City supports the requested changes to allow the school greater control over the grounds.   

 “The lessee has requested the removal of these clauses to ensure sustainable management of the facility and fair allocation of responsibilities,” the report states.

Executive director of the United Herzlia Schools Andries van Renssen confirmed the school’s position, saying that repeated damage to the turf and irrigation system has made maintenance increasingly difficult.  

“As lessee, we are financially responsible for all maintenance and repairs. Over time, the cumulative impact of overuse and damage has made sustainable upkeep challenging,” he said. 

He said the incidents over the past two years, including holes dug into the turf, dog faeces on playing surfaces, damage to sprinklers and the cricket pitch, and damage to the clubhouse interior.

CCTV footage, photographs, and video evidence were submitted to the City as part of its review.

Mr van Renssen also cited safety incidents.

“There have been three cases of dogs attacking staff while performing maintenance, with one staff member requiring hospital treatment. Children have also been chased during sporting activities, and staff have faced verbal altercations when requesting compliance with leash and clean-up signage. The safety of our staff and pupils remains our priority.”

He said concerns about dog-related damage and safety risks increased as large-scale dog-walking activity on the field became more frequent. 

“In some cases, professional dog-walkers have arrived with over 17 dogs at one time to run around on the field,” he said.

Before the decision to close the grounds to the public, the school engaged directly with residents and community spokespeople, said Mr van Renssen.

He said that on recommendation from the City, signage was erected requesting that dogs be kept on a leash, owners clean up after pets, and the sports surface be respected.

“Despite these measures, damage and safety incidents continued, and some signage was removed. Only then did we approach the City for clarity on a contradictory liability clause in our lease,”  said Mr van Renssen

The City’s report notes that unrestricted public access has contributed to damage, safety risks, and increased maintenance burdens.

“Our request is simply to regain control over the grounds to protect them for school sporting activities, while still supporting responsible community access,” he said.

The report also highlights that Grass Boots FC now holds a separate 10-year lease for a public open space in Vredehoek, making mandated use of the Herzlia grounds unnecessary. 

“It notes that the school has extended goodwill to the community, providing access to ablution facilities, storage for groundskeepers, hosting meetings in the clubhouse, and supporting a local coffee food truck,” he said.

“The sports ground remains municipal property, and any future access arrangements fall within the City’s authority. We remain committed to maintaining the facility responsibly under our lease obligations,”  Mr van Renssen said.
 

Many parents and members of the football club said they are concerned about the closure of the Herzlia sports field, but none were willing to speak on the record, fearing it could affect the outcome of ongoing negotiations over its use.

A source close to the discussions said that at this stage, the City of Cape Town, United Herzlia Schools, and the club are still talking about access, and any decision regarding Saturday field use could be influenced by these discussions.

The source highlighted the field’s vital role in keeping underprivileged children engaged, noting that parents are worried that without a space for pre-season training, young players could be left with little to do, increasing the risk of exposure to gangsterism, drugs, and other challenges affecting their communities.

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