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Patrick Chitumba, Midlands Bureau Chief 

GWERU City Council (GCC) intends to transform the city in line with international best practices in a development that will result in the relocation of Gweru Sports Club (GSC) which is more than 100 years old. 

GSC is a facility that is capable of hosting sporting events as it has facilities for sporting disciplines such as rugby, cricket, football and squash. 

Its bowling club is popular with youths as the club is now used as a nightclub while the other part is now rented by Central Region Division One side, Sheasham FC. 

The local authority’s plans were revealed during a recent ordinary council meeting held at the town house. 

According to council deliberations, the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Cde Larry Mavima has already approved the move. 

“Council plans to move the 104-year-old Gweru Sports Club (GSC) to a new site to pave way for the  expansion of the Central Business District.

The Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Cde Mavima has already approved the move,” reads part of the council minutes.

GCC public relations officer Ms Vimbai Chingwaramusee said: “We plan to expand the central business district but the direction of expansion is still being debated. ” 

The planned move by council is, however, being resisted by GSC administrators who say they feel being short-changed. 

GSC chairperson Mr John Makubalo said it was disturbing for council to put such plans in motion without consulting stakeholders who include the community. 

Mr Makubalo said what can only be acceptable is for council to build a new sports club with similar facilities.

The new club, Mr Makubalo said, should have squash courts, a hall, grounds, lawn irrigation and an underground drainage system. 

“Whatever place they think of must be central to all corners of Gweru and the design must be approved by all stakeholders in the sporting fraternity and residents,” he said. 

Mr Makubalo said GCC has failed to maintain sports facilities across the town hence they doubt its capacity to build a new sports club with the required standard facilities.

“We know building a new sports club of that magnitude is a mammoth task for them. Look at the state of sports facilities run by our council in Mkoba and Ascot suburbs,” he said.

Mr Makubalo said Mkoba Golf Course was converted into commercial stands and up to now it has not been replaced. 

“Evaluations which were last carried out at Gweru Sports Club revealed that it is worth more than US$6,5 million which is a lot money that council has to spend to build a similar facility,” said Mr Makubalo.

Some residents who are of the view that GCC is not benefiting from the sports club, support plans to relocate it.