Cape Town: There are no words

Absolutely magnificent

Image source: Bruce Sutherland, City of Cape Town

Polokwane on track

The Peter Mokaba stadium in Polokwane is certainly on track to meet its FIFA deadline. This 45,000 seat venue is perhaps one of the less controversial venues, with great progress being made. The majority of the seating structures are in place or will be in place shortly, while the roof trusses appear to be in place, awaiting the inner glass section and the steel membrane.

Located 5km from the city centre, the venue has been designed by AFL architects, the same team responsible for the design of the expansion of the "Theatre of dreams", Old Trafford in Manchester. The Limpopo province has the largest number of registered football players in the country and this new venue will certainly provide a great arena for generations to come.

Inside Bloems world cup venue

The Free State stadium is just about completed with its preparations for the 2009 Confederations Cup. The new grand stand was completed towards the end of the 2008, with the installation of seating completed early in January this year. Apart from the external upgrade to the grand stand, the spaces within the stadium have also been transformed. New and improved areas for players, VIP's and the FIFA family have boosted the quality of this famous South African venue.

The FIFA inspection which took place on 20 February 2009 saw the venue pass with flying colours. Landscaping works started in January and will continue until the end of March, providing improved spaces for spectators and the FIFA family around the venue. As the venue enters event mode, temporary overlay will be erected around the venue, some of which includes a media centre and corporate hospitality areas.

Some of these images taken in January 2009 provide a view of some of the new and improved areas within the stadium structure. The practical completion was set at 19 March 2009 with 10 matches in planning before the Confederations Cup.

Transforming Doornfontein Station

The Doornfontein Station near Ellis Park stadium is beingtransformed into a a state-of-the-art hub, where commuters will arrive for football matches at Ellis Park Stadium.

Doornfontein Train Station is a stone's throw away from the Ellis Park Stadium

Work at Doornfontein Station is progressing well and work is expected to be completed before the Confederations Cup in June this year. The station is being transformed from an unpleasant structure into a double storey building.

According to site engineer, Letsatsi Ramookho the total cost of the project is R74 million with 88 workers currently on site.

"Extensions have been done to the platforms to bring them up to international standards. The platform was lifted to 910mm from the top of the rail lines to make them friendly to paraplegics."

The roof of the new station will be a masterpiece, according to Ramookho, who says it will be staggered, allowing natural light to filter in. "A big clock will be placed on the northern wall of the station facing the station precinct."

The calabash gets working on its pitch

The 91,000 seat Soccer City stadium, also known as the "calabash", has started preparing the ground for one of the most special football fields in world history. As the venue for the opening and final match of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, the pressure is on to prepare a pitch worthy of the occasion.

The roof structure is looking superb with its inner fabric layer, and glass inner edge. The facade of the venue is completely wrapped in cost effective fibre concrete tiles of six different colour variations producing a spectacular visual effect during the day and at night.

The most important venue of the world cup is comfortably on track to meet the FIFA deadline in October 2009, with major works complete within a few months.

Loftus is ready!

Loftus East new roof, Bulls vs Reds
Originally uploaded by Vark1

Preparations for the Confederations Cup in Pretoria remain on track as the city of Tshwane has confirmed that Loftus is ready for the tournament.

The ground hosted the league clash between champions SuperSport United and Soweto giants Kaizer Chiefs on Saturday evening.

Loftus stadium has undergone a major revamp to meet FIFA's standards as it is set to host three Confed Cup matches in June, including the massive match between Italy and Brazil. The upgraded stadium includes a new roof over the eastern pavilion, an improved media centre as well as general refurbishments to all spectator areas.

4 down 6 to go!

Ellis Park: All systems go

Ellis Park, Bulls 16 vs Lions 9
Originally uploaded by Vark1

The revamped and refurbished Ellis Park stadium, venue of the historic 1995 Rugby World Cup final, will host a crucial league clash that should give an indication of its state of readiness for the Confederations Cup. The venue has already been in use for the last two weeks as a venue for Super 14 rugby clashes.

The 62 000-seater stadium has undergone a R500-million makeover ahead of the 2009 Confederations Cup and the 2010 World Cup, which included an additional tier at the north stand, a major new parking garage as well as improved spectators and VIP service areas. A major refurbishment of the Ellis Park precinct including landscaping works will continue to ensure a pleasant environment for all spectators.

Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates square off at the venue on Wednesday. The FIFA inspection team last week were pleased with the readiness of the venue which will host the opening and closing game of the Confederations Cup in just a few months.