Cape Town: Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis and Member of the Mayoral Committee for Community Services and Health – Councillor Francine Higham, together officially handed over the completed Bishop Lavis Sports Ground of worth R27 million to the community on August 19, 2025.
Reportedly, a new 11-a-side synthetic soccer pitch and family park was completed recently as part of the final stage of the R27 million transformative upgrade. The previous phases delivered a new grassed athletics track, hardcourts, a re-grassed cricket oval, floodlights, newly-constructed access road, parking, fencing and related security enhancements.
Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis said that they have been working on these major upgrades since the start of this term, and it is unbelievable to see the transformation of these facilities today.
He expressed that it’s a joy to think about all the good that will come from Bishop Lavis’ youth using these top-class facilities to realise their full potential. The sky truly is the limit for young athletes, and families can now also enjoy the beautiful park alongside watching their kids achieve on the track, cricket oval, soccer pitch, and hardcourts.
Lewis highlighted that this upgrade is a shining example of the impact of Cape Town’s SA-record infrastructure investments, 75% of which directly benefits lower-income households and communities.
Councillor Francine Higham stated that they encourage the youth and families of Bishop Lavis to make full use of these wonderful facilities. She also urged all to help them in protecting these facilities from vandalism and theft.
The City of Cape Town has installed various fencing, lighting and other security measures. Going forward, they need an active community to take ownership in partnership with them.
She said let’s work together to ensure the community continues to enjoy the advantage of these top-class facilities now and into the future. Higham emphasised that this extensive upgrade was delivered in stages over the course of three years, and they look forward to delivering on many other amenities upgrades planned for communities across Cape Town as part of the City’s record infrastructure investments in the coming years.
Over the next three years, communities will receive benefit from various sports and recreation facility upgrades, such as:
- R123 million for sports facilities capital upgrades
• R66 million for recreation hubs and community hall capital upgrades
• R171 million for parks and public spaces capital upgrades
• Over R191 million in library upgrades, equipment, books and subscriptions
• Over R95 million for community swimming pool operations and upgrades