R56 million Smithfield stadium project stalls as contractor faces possible termination

Tags

---

08-07-2026
Read : 9 times
NovaNews
Source

SMITHFIELD – The R56.7 million indoor sports stadium planned for Greenfields in Smithfield remains at a standstill, with the contractor facing possible termination after construction was abandoned less than a year after work began.

The project, launched by the Free State Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation in 2024, was intended to deliver a 500-seat indoor stadium complete with offices, changing rooms, a boardroom, medical facilities and ablution blocks. Plans also included tennis and volleyball courts, table tennis, karate and boxing facilities, as well as space for indigenous games.

Construction was scheduled for completion on 18 November 2025, but work stopped after only a few months. To date, only partially completed foundations and reinforced concrete columns remain on site.

Already spent R6.7 million

According to a written reply to questions submitted in the Free State Legislature by DA MPL Werner Pretorius, the department has already spent R6.7 million—around 15 per cent of the project’s budget—despite construction grinding to a halt.

The department attributed the delays to a combination of administrative and operational challenges, including lengthy permit application processes, difficulties with bulk excavations, adverse weather conditions, and disruptions to steel supplies and the broader supply chain.

It confirmed that a default letter had been issued to the contractor, a step that could lead to the termination of the construction contract.

With the original completion date approaching, uncertainty remains over when, or if, the project will resume. The unfinished structures have been left exposed to the elements, raising concerns about deterioration and the potential for additional costs should construction restart.

The stalled development has also affected the local community, where the project was expected to create temporary employment during construction and provide improved sporting facilities upon completion.

The Democratic Alliance said it would continue to seek answers from the Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation and conduct oversight to monitor the project’s progress and hold the department accountable for delays.