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THE proposed extension of the Klip Road Cemetery has caused a stir amongst residents of Grassy Park.

The city is planning to extend the cemetery to Prince George Drive to make allowance for anticipated future burial needs, but this extension will run over the sports field on Klip Road.

The field is also used to host the Klip Road Carnival, held once a year.

Controversy loudly raised its head at a meeting on Monday, 19 November.

Philip Bam, chairperson of the Lotus River, Ottery and Grassy Park Ratepayers and Residents Association (LOGRA), together with his executive members, called the meeting to discuss the proposal and to inform residents that the objection period closes on 3 December.

"The field is filled with youngsters on a Saturday morning in their white outfits playing cricket. It not only keeps them off the street, but it also develops their wellness and motor skills," says Bam.

He says that these young people will be cheated out of sports facilities should the proposed cemetery plan go through.

"We do not need less places for our youth to play - we need more."

However, Basil Lee, chairperson of the Rondevlei Subcouncil, counters Bam's statements, saying that there are other facilities for people to play sport. "This extension is needed. There are a number of other sports facilities available in the area. Hardly anybody uses that one in Klip Road. I do not see why we cannot use it for the cemetery."

He says that other sport facilities that can be used include the Buck Road Sports Field, Parkwood Sports Complex and Rooikrans.

But Bam says that in addition to the sports field falling away to the extension, the sight of a cemetery bordering Prince George Drive upon entering Grassy Park via Victoria Road is "not a nice sight".

In its objection to the City of Cape Town, Logra states, "The area comprising the proposed extension of the cemetery will be directly adjacent to the main entrance to Grassy Park and our community is of the opinion that it will create a 'dead entrance'".

Ian Lewis, a resident of Grassy Park and a member of Logra, says that people are concerned.

"We as ratepayers were not initially informed about the plans."

Another concerned resident, who is not a member of Logra and who preferred to remain anonymous, says that she is not in agreement with the proposal.

"The children need the sports field more. I see the children playing cricket on a Saturday mor?ning."

She is also concerned that a new venue will have to be found for the Klip Road Carnival.

However, retired priest, Reve?rend Dr Christian Reddy, says that he feels the extension of the cemetery is needed. But Bam says that there are at least four other cemeteries close by.

"We are putting our objections through as a civic association as they were raised at the meeting."

Lee says that Logra does not represent the community.

"The meetings are under-represented. Logra is not constituted. They have not had an AGM for the past three years. They cannot be the voice of Grassy Park and its surrounds," says Lee.

Bam defends Logra by saying, "Logra Civic has a proud record of representing the interests of ratepayers and residents in the greater Grassy Park area for decades". He says Logra is the preferred representative of the ratepayers and residents.

"Logra Civic regrets that Councillor Basil Lee, who a is a member of Logra, continues to denigrate the organisation whenever it takes a position that is not in line with his own political party positions. Logra has up until now given the councillors their space to perform without dictating to them or vilifying them."

He adds that Logra will issue its scorecard on the performance of councillors and that process "will not be directed as a personal attack".

"It is a sad day when our public representatives cannot focus on the issues but seek to attack the integrity of opponents and organisations. We urge councillors to concentrate on the issue at hand and be mature enough to accept that citizens of Cape Town have a right to participate and express opinions which are contrary to their own."

Regarding the extension of the cemetery, Bam says, "Questioning Logra's credibility and integrity will not deter the organisation from actively participating in the public participation process as and when it sees fit. Logra is a credible and formidable organisation and will continue to speak for its members."

With this in mind, Bam expresses the general feeling of Logra, "Go somewhere else if you want cemetery space".

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