WITH the opening of a visitor centre this week, Capetonians and tourists can now track progress at the new R2,75bn Green Point Stadium being built for the 2010 FifaWorld Cup.

While city dwellers have become accustomed to the forest of mobile cranes at the scene, a tour of the site will leave them amazed at the speed with which construction has progressed during the past year. With the foundation work complete, concrete pylons are now being erected that will form the backbone of the stadium and hold a steel and glass roof that will cover 95% of spectator seating. Some 1 800 workers are labouring day and night in double shifts ending at midnight. Most of the old stadium has now been torn down and its concrete and steel is being recycled and reused on site. The superstructure of the stadium is due for completion in September this year, with handover scheduled for December 15, 2009. The stadium will have 68 000 seats for the World Cup; whereafter 13 000 seats will be removed to make room for hospitality suites. Contractors, JV Murray and Roberts and WBHO, in partnership with the City of Cape Town, have opened a visitor centre on site. For a fee of R40 per adult and R20 for children, students and pensioners, it offers a guided bus tour of the stadium under construction; an exhibition of photographs and memorabilia of soccer heroes of yesteryear; and a one-man multimedia show by actor, Anthony Fikile, on the history of Green Point Common. Other highlights are a seven-minute documentary on the development of the stadium featuring interviews with significant stakeholders; a virtual CAD system tour of the stadium site; a climb to a viewing-platform; and viewing of the architectural model.  A retail shop with soccer memorabilia will open soon. A boardroom and auditorium are available for corporate bookings. The centre is open Mondays to Saturdays.