Johannesburg’s Ticketpro Dome will be transformed into a used car dealership after its sale to South African car buying service WeBuyCars, with arena operator RX Venue Management labelling the news as “heartbreaking for our industry”.
The 13,000-seat Dome opened in April 1998 with a concert by Diana Ross that included a special guest appearance by South Africa’s late former President, Nelson Mandela. However, financial pressures caused by COVID-19 have led to its owner, the pension fund of chemicals and energy company Sasol, deciding to sell up.
RX Venue Management said in a statement reported by the BizCommunity website: “This is another devastating blow for the exhibitions, events and entertainment industry due to COVID-19. The ban on public gatherings has meant that during 2020 and now 2021, the Ticketpro Dome has been unable to operate.”
Carol Weaving, managing director of RX Africa, added: “The selling of the Ticketpro Dome is extremely disappointing and heartbreaking for our industry. The Ticketpro Dome has been home to many international concerts and events in South Africa, and this will undoubtedly leave a huge void.
“Unfortunately, as we are only the managing company, we were unable to change the outcome of Sasol Pension Fund selling the venue due to force majeure.”
The Ticketpro Dome is South Africa’s largest multi-purpose indoor arena, but will now close in this guise and take on another use. WeBuyCars will take possession of the arena on September 7 and intends to transform it into one of the biggest second-hand car dealerships in the world.
WeBuyCars said the Dome was originally intended to become a permanent motor showroom, only for this vision never coming to fruition. It now plans to house around 1,500 vehicles at the venue.
WeBuyCars CEO, Faan van der Walt, said in a statement: “Apart from cementing our presence in northern Johannesburg, we are confident this growth path will have a positive impact on the economy.
“We have always been proud of our roots, and this next step in our expansion plan demonstrates our commitment to the South African car market, which has significant growth potential.”
Image: Ticketpro Dome
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