The Philippi Stadium, one of the proposed Venue Specific Training Sites (VSTSs) for 2010, is currently being upgraded to comply with FIFA requirements for training facilities.

Improvements include new spectator stands to increase capacity, provision of media facilities and improvements to stadium infrastructure, such as the installation of turnstiles.  A new pitch that complies with FIFA requirements is also being installed.

Due to budget constraints, the initial plan was to refurbish the existing inefficient floodlights and supplement them with similar floodlights from other stadia.  However, the carbon mitigation grant from DANIDA has made it possible for the PGWC to install modern energy efficient floodlights at the Philippi Stadium, as part of the 2010 carbon mitigation strategy.

It is anticipated that the energy saving will be as much as 60% per annum, resulting in a energy cost saving of R10 000 pa.  The payback period on the energy efficient lights is around 7-8 years at 24 games per annum with the lifespan of the lighting estimated to be greater than 15 years with regular maintenance.

Also the new scheme reduces the amount of mercury in the lamps by 65% compared to the original equipment.  A smaller generator can also now be specified, if required, saving capital cost and diesel consumption by around 50%.