From 1 September 2016, Dirtopia’s Delvera based offering will expand to include the current Simonsberg Cafe and Oakleaf Lodge. Further, Dirtopia’s Fietswinkel (Cycle Shop) operation located at nearby Welgevonden will also move to Delvera.
Outdoor event and trail specialists, Dirtopia, has become synonymous with Delvera Farm. Over the past 12 years, the business has attracted thousands of visitors to the farm through the promotion of the very popular full moon hikes, trail runs, mountain bike events and singletrack trails.
Owners, Meurant and Arina Botha started the Dirtopia Trail Centre in 2004, after their events business operating from their cottage on Delvera, needed larger premises and it was decided to simultaneously start a trails tourism business. Starting out in what is now Delvera’s pottery, the business expanded significantly requiring a move to a larger building in 2012.
The synergy between trail centre, event and restaurant visitors is obvious and to build on an improved visitor experience the Trail Centre and Fietswinkel will move into the current restaurant function venue space to create the ultimate one-stop outdoor visitor experience, all operated under the Dirtopia brand. Ample conference space remains, as Delvera has become a popular meeting venue due to it’s central location.
To accommodate this move, Delvera is going to see some dramatic renovations including the demolition of large sections of the old piggery structures to create a new centre court area as well additional eventing space. The recent creation of a new activity lawn and parking area to accommodate the highly successful Fairtree Simonsberg Contour mountain bike stage race, showed the potential of Delvera to host major events.
Work on an additional activity lawn has started in July and on completion will bring Delvera’s total activation space to over 4500 square meters.
With dramatic views of the vineyards, Klapmutskop and Greater Cape Town, these areas are sure to become prime venues for outdoor functions ranging from sporting events to weddings.
Linked to the Trail Centre and venue developments, Dirtopia will once again take the reins of the Lodge, having started the accommodation business on the farm in 2005. In keeping with the farm atmosphere on Delvera, the focus will be on providing excellent, affordable winelands accommodation.
The timing of this development could not have been more perfect as Dirtopia, in conjunction with local landowners, has added over 40km of trails in the region over the past 3 years, positioning Delvera as the perfect hub for trail and events based activity in the region.
During the change-over period, visitors can expect a variety of changes and improvements to the site with an official launch weekend coinciding, quite fittingly, with our Full Moon events of October. Watch the Dirtopia social media pages for announcements, opening times and new events at Delvera!
For more, go to http://www.dirtopia.co.za or contact the Trail Centre at info@dirtopia.co.za.
