City govt will rebuild Bulungan

JAKARTA (JP): Governor Surjadi Soedirdja has rejected the idea of allowing private developers to rebuild the Bulungan youth stadium in South Jakarta.

"Funds for the rebuilding plan must be taken from the city's budget," Surjadi said after attending a City Hall meeting on the project on Monday.

The governor fears that if private developers take over the project -- which is located on a 12,450 square meter plot on Jl. Bulungan -- the stadium may become a commercial site rather than a sports arena for teenagers.

"If a private company runs the development and management of the stadium, the entrance fee would be higher," he said. "I don't want teenagers to be refused entry to the stadium just because they don't have enough money to pay for the ticket."

Surjadi said that he did not oppose the rebuilding plan. "I agree with the basic idea. But I object if private developers are allowed to run the whole operation."

He also opposed suggestions to change the stadium into a mall, similar to the Soemantri Brojonegoro youth stadium in Kuningan, South Jakarta.

"The plan has to be entirely focused on the development of sport facilities, such as a pool or basketball court rather than commercial sites, because the Bulungan stadium is already located near Blok M Mall."

Surjadi underlined the importance of involving young people in healthy activities.

"Don't urge them to become consumptive and narrow-minded," he said. "Urge them to achieve in sports, for instance."

Manager of the stadium, Oto Suprapto, said that the old building will be renovated into a huge and luxurious stadium equipped with various sports facilities.

Oto declined to be specific about the project's funding, saying: "It will be billions of rupiah."

He said his office understands the governor's concerns about involving private developers and they would try their best to follow Surjadi's request.

According to a master plan, the stadium -- after renovation -- will have two blocks for sports and recreation sites and offices that cater to teenager's needs, such as counseling, courses and radio stations.

So far, there has been no information about when the project will begin.

"This project will start when the city has sufficient funding," Surjadi said.

Out of the city's 43 districts, 33 already have their own youth stadiums.

Research on teenagers' perceptions about youth stadiums, presented during Monday's meeting, found only 60 percent of young Jakartans are aware the stadiums exist. (07)