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TORN nets and water-drenched fields are what the youth of Parkwood are subjected to now that the winter months have arrived.

"The field is flooded," the young children say while pointing to the field at Hoosain Parker's Walk in Parkwood. The field has patches of sea sand strewn across it to soak up the excess water ? a result of recent downpours.

But this does not deter the children, who still manage to kick a soccer ball around on the field.

William Akim, chairperson of the Parkwood Sports Board and the Parkwood Facility Management Committee (FMC), explains that he has replaced the torn nets, but says that the children often hang on the nets and poles, which leads them to break. He says the main priority of the FMC is to ensure that the field is not being overused by the players.

The FMC also apparently passes on the needs of the field to the area manager of Sports and Recreation, Trevor Mitchell. Mitchell says that the City of Cape Town ensures that the field's grass is cut at least twice a week. "We will also be getting some new soccer poles," he says.

Kariem Abdul, coach of Parkwood United Soccer Club, says that the field needs an urgent upgrade.

"The lights at the field are falling apart and the field is waterlogged."

He says that teams are expected to pay for electricity when they play night games. Akim adds that the lights are run using a pre-paid electricity meter. If teams need to use the field at night, they are expected to buy units for R20.

Despite concerns about the state of the field, both Akim and Mitchell say that the community has a better sporting facility to look forward to.

There are plans to develop the field next to Fairmount High School ? which is near the derelict field ? into a community sporting complex that will cater for sports such as soccer, track events, netball and baseball. The concept plan was developed in 2001.

According to Terence Klassen, principal of Fairmount High School and secretary of the FMC, the complex should have been completed in 2006. He says that as a result of various issues, the development was placed on hold. One of the main concerns was that of the informal settlers of Zilleraine Heights, who settled about two years ago on the land that was earmarked for the development of the complex.

The court recently ruled that the settlers must move off the land.

Mitchell says that about R10 million has been allocated to the deve?lopment of the complex.

He says that the development should start this month, and should be completed by January next year.

Sports and recreation facilities for residents living south of Prince George Drive and in the area of lower Military Road will also receive an upgrade from the City of Cape Town.

The plans to revamp the ero?ded sports grounds in Italy Road in Seawinds are nearing completion and the sports complex should be open for public use by July 2009.

The multi-purpose sports complex will boast four soccer fields ? one of which can double up as a rugby field ? four basketball courts and an athletics track and field.

The complex will have a club house, an office, a store room and basic changing and ablution facilities.

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