Background

The Hillbrow Recreation Centre has historically served as an important social and economic asset by:

• Providing safe spaces for youth development and skills-building
• Supporting local economic activity through community programmes
• Contributing to urban regeneration and social cohesion

Since being repurposed during COVID-19, the facility has deteriorated significantly and remains non-operational, with no clear recovery plan communicated to the Ward 62 community.

KEY CONCERNS

We raise the following concerns:

• The facility has become a white elephant, reflecting wasted public investment
• Continued neglect is contributing to urban decay in Ward 62 and the inner city
• The lack of functional recreational infrastructure is worsening youth vulnerability and social challenges
• There is a failure by the City to protect, maintain, and restore public assets
• No clear budget allocation or refurbishment plan has been communicated to the community

We therefore call on the MMC for Economic Development to:

1. Urgently allocate and ringfence a dedicated budget for the full refurbishment and repair of the Hillbrow Recreation Centre in the upcoming financial cycle
2. Table a detailed refurbishment plan for Ward 62, including cost estimates, scope of work, and timelines, within 60 days
3. Ensure that refurbishment forms part of a broader inner-city economic revitalisation programme benefiting Ward 62 residents
4. Implement immediate security measures to prevent further vandalism and illegal occupation
5. Provide quarterly progress reports to Council and directly to the Ward 62 community
6. Commit to a clear and enforceable reopening deadline

DECLARATION

We, the residents of Ward 62, Hillbrow, believe that the continued neglect of the Hillbrow Recreation Centre is unacceptable and represents a failure in governance, planning, and service delivery.

We call on the City of Johannesburg to prioritise the restoration of this facility through proper budget allocation, transparent planning, and accountable implementation.