Johannesburg Railway Recreation Club

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Aka: Wits Sport Conference Centre

Built: 1958-59 (opened 2 May 1959)

Architect: Unidentified

Location: Enoch Sontonga Ave, Sturrock Park, Milner Park, Johannesburg

Photo during construction in 1958. (South African Railway News)

"The new building, which is being built on contract at a cost of £90,000 [final cost £127,000], will be the most central sporting venue in Johannesburg. It is being erected at Elizabeth Sturrock Park near the show grounds, on the site of the old Milner Park Municipal swimming bath.

Johannesburg provides well for its sporting public, including railwaymen, with the result that the need for special facilities for the latter has not been as great as in other centres. In the Railway Recreation Club building, however, the old premises has become increasingly inadequate.

The new building will be two storeys high and it will house all the usual club facilities including an entertainment hall, with stage, which will be able to accommodate about 500 people, a dining room to seat 300 persons and a fully equipped kitchen. In addition, there is a spacious open verandah with tables and chairs for fifty people.

The design of the club premises is in modern style of face brick and terrazzo tiling and the surrounding ground will be laid out to provide parking, gardens, tennis courts, a netball field and children's playground, in addition to the playing fields already in existence, which consist of a rugby ground, soccer ground, tennis courts, two bowling greens, two cricket pitches and practice nets." (SARN, 1958)

"Mr. Schoeman travelled up from Cape Town on May 2, to perform the opening ceremony of the new building which stands on a small site overlooking the playing fields of "Elizabeth Sturrock Park", the home-ground of the Johannesburg Railway Recreation Club... The new club buildings cost a matter of £127,000, and are designed to promote social intercourse and to provide both the means and opportunity for relaxation... The Minister admitted to a very comprehensive knowledge of the neighbourhood of the Recreation Club, from a mudhole in which he swam as a boy to an action in the 1914 rebellion during which bullets flew over the club grounds. He warned members of the Service that while "whites " would in future not be affected by the smoke of steam locomotives..." (SARN, 1959)
  • Barend Jacobus "Ben" Schoeman (1905-1986), N.P. Minister of Transport 1954-1974.


Map location

Google Maps (2026)

Aerial view. Google Maps (2026)

Sources

  • South African Railway News. April 1958.
  • South African Railway News. May 1959.



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