Merrifield principal Guy Hartley said the school had taken many factors into consideration and deliberated with sponsors before deciding to cancel the event.
“We've had NSRI check the dam and it is now at about 28%. NSRI said that if the levels were to drop another five percent we would not be able to use the dam. We're not sure what will happen in a month's time but we don't want to take any chances and have to cancel at very short notice,” said Hartley.
He said the school had looked at alternatives, but with only one month to go to the event, it would have been difficult to pull it off successfully at a different venue.
“We were looking at Gubu dam, but it would have taken a long time for us to get the various authorisations needed for an event like this. Going forward, Gubu dam could be a good backup for us, should we not be able to use Wriggleswade again in the future.”
The event was set to take place on February 23 and usually sees 1,000 swimmers and almost 4,000 spectators take part. The Merrifield Mile has been held at Wriggleswade for the last six years.
Hartley said: “We recognise that the Wriggleswade dam was built as a supply dam for communities in need, especially during the current water crisis and we hope the public understands our decision.”
Randall said despite this cancellation, the Merrifield Mile had definitely not seen its last days.
“Having to cancel this event brings to light how bad the water situation is. It is not something we wanted to do and we plan to be back in full force in 2021,” said Randall.
MadeleineC@dispatch.co.za
Merrifield Mile swim cancelled due to low dam levels
Image: ALAN EASON
For the first time in its 18-year history, the popular Merrifield Mile swim has been cancelled.
The event which takes place annually at Wriggleswade Dam has become a firm favourite on the East London swimming calendar.
Preparations for this year's event began in October 2019, but due to low dam levels, organisers have decided to give the 2020 instalment a miss.
“With the current water situation we felt that the responsible thing to do was to cancel the event. The dam is below 30% and everything is extremely dry,” said Alison Randall, Merrifield College marketing co-ordinator and KFC Merrifield Mile organiser
“We're very disappointed and it was not a decision we came to lightly as the event is extremely well supported every year and it's very sad to have to cancel it, from the school's side, but also from the local community's point of view,” Randall said.
Management of scarce resource essential as dam levels remain low
Merrifield principal Guy Hartley said the school had taken many factors into consideration and deliberated with sponsors before deciding to cancel the event.
“We've had NSRI check the dam and it is now at about 28%. NSRI said that if the levels were to drop another five percent we would not be able to use the dam. We're not sure what will happen in a month's time but we don't want to take any chances and have to cancel at very short notice,” said Hartley.
He said the school had looked at alternatives, but with only one month to go to the event, it would have been difficult to pull it off successfully at a different venue.
“We were looking at Gubu dam, but it would have taken a long time for us to get the various authorisations needed for an event like this. Going forward, Gubu dam could be a good backup for us, should we not be able to use Wriggleswade again in the future.”
The event was set to take place on February 23 and usually sees 1,000 swimmers and almost 4,000 spectators take part. The Merrifield Mile has been held at Wriggleswade for the last six years.
Hartley said: “We recognise that the Wriggleswade dam was built as a supply dam for communities in need, especially during the current water crisis and we hope the public understands our decision.”
Randall said despite this cancellation, the Merrifield Mile had definitely not seen its last days.
“Having to cancel this event brings to light how bad the water situation is. It is not something we wanted to do and we plan to be back in full force in 2021,” said Randall.
MadeleineC@dispatch.co.za
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