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The view from the clubhouse located on the grounds at the corner of 10 Herschel and 19 Bowwood roads in Claremont. PHOTO: THERESA SMITH
CLAREMONT
Drive is on for 4x4-trail NETTALIE VILJOEN NETTALIE.VILJOEN@MEDIA24.COM
“O
ver 99% of people who own a 4x4 vehicle have never engaged their fourwheel-drive system; they have never experienced the full potential of their vehicle.” This “fun fact” was one of many that Rashaad Carlsen uncovered whilst doing research for a new business concept: a 4x4 trail situated in the inner-city. Carlsen says he came up with the idea about a year ago when his then business partner, the Claremont Beneficiary Trust (CBT), contacted him, asking him if he was interested in temporarily leasing the grounds formerly occupied by the Claremont Bowling Club. The original idea was for the property located in Bowwood Road to be used for a flea market while CBT, the owner of the property, considers various long-term development proposals. However, Carlsen says a market wouldn’t have been financially sustainable. Considering his options, Carlsen took a closer look at the grounds using Google Earth. “And as I zoomed out, all these adverts for motor dealers popped up. In those five
minutes the idea was born.” Called the Claremont inAcity 4x4 Adventure Park, the trail will sport up to 23 obstacles such as loose sand, a river crossing, mud, water wading, inclines and descents. Carlsen says the plan is to have two versions – novice and advanced. Marshals will be on hand to guide drivers through the obstacles. For those who do not own a 4x4 vehicle, a vehicle and driver will be on standby to take visitors through the trail. “The maximum speed that drivers will travel at will be 5km/h, if that, as they move through obstacles. Now and then they will engage power to climb up hills,” he says. Carlsen says they are looking at charging R550 to R600 for the two-hour experience which will include a briefing session as well as having the outside of your car washed afterwards. Operational hours haven’t been finalised yet, but normal trading hours, Tuesdays to Saturdays, are being considered. He explains that at any time, there will probably be no more than four vehicles navigating the course. “This is not a mass participation sport. Our plans only make provision for 20 parking bays. There will be minimal disruption to traffic.” Carlsen also envisions a supervised kids play park, a restaurant with a viewing deck
and walking paths. Free entry will be given to spectators, restaurant guests and walkers. And, yes, both the restaurant and the walking paths are pet-friendly. According to Carlsen, the use of borehole water, a water-circulation system and solar lighting are some of the environmentally friendly practices that will be implemented at the park. Andrew Pratt of Andrew Pratt Town Planning says they aim to submit a temporary departure land use application this week. “The public participation process usually commences a month or two after submission and all the adjoining property owners will be notified via registered mail. Council decides who gets a notice. We will also put up site notices on the boundaries on the application property,” adds Pratt. He says council will decide on planning conditions imposed. “It usually relates to hours and day of operation.” When engaging with the trust and Upper Claremont Residents’ and Ratepayers’ Association (UCCRA) at the start of the project last year, Carlsen says he made it clear he would “unequivocally” adhere to all of the bylaws and conditions set by the trust and the City. This, he says, is also written into the lease agreement. Certain development conditions were also
agreed to during a meeting attended by CBT, Carlsen and UCCRA at Newlands Sun on Wednesday 7 August 2019. These include: . The site will be secured with fencing which allows for visual surveillance and thus meet security and aesthetic requirements. . Floodlights will not be installed. There may be lighting on the boundary line and at the food/admin buildings which may be on at night for security reasons. . The 4x4 developer has employed an arborator/botanist/tree surveyor to map and record all existing trees. The overall plan is to preserve the existing trees and add additional suitable trees and vegetation cover on the site, thus improving the streetscape. Following the meeting, UCCRA confirmed its wish to support and work with the trust and the temporary 4x4 developer in the development of the site, stating that the short-term occupation of the site would assist in solving the significant safety and security issue that exists on the property, According to Alexis van der Merwe, UCCRA’s chair, at the time of the meeting, the noise monitoring requirements and prescribed limits in terms of operating hours were not yet known. “However, the CBT and Carlsen agreed to keep UCRRA informed.” V To share your opinion on this development, email nettalie.viljoen@media24.com.