Victoria Park improved, better equipped for Vincy Mas 2012

Revellers and broadcasters alike are expected to experience more comfort this carnival season, as preparations to transform Victoria Park into Carnival City are well underway.{{more}}

So says Anthony Dennie, Marketing officer of the National Lotteries Authority, the institution designated as the venue’s caretaker.

Dennie, speaking last week Thursday at the Authority’s headquarters in Paul’s Avenue, said a number of improvements have been made in relation to the location’s infrastructure, while others are forthcoming, as Vincentians gear up for what has been dubbed ‘The Hottest Carnival in the Caribbean’.

“This year, we have recently refurbished the media centre, injecting some money to ensure that the media personnel, when you do come to Carnival City Victoria Park, that you are in comfortable, air-conditioned surroundings. And we look forward to good quality broadcasts that would be coming from the media houses in that media centre.

“Added to that, we have done some work on the VIP lounge making things more comfortable for VIPs who will view the shows at Carnival City Victoria Park.”

According to Dennie, work on the outfield continues, with plans to have a protective surface installed on the area, to protect it not only during carnival, but for other events that are hosted at the venue.

“We have seen it, of course, at the Soca Monarch that the outfield gets a pounding, and quite a large sum of money is being invested by the National Lotteries Authority year go, year come, to ensure that this is remedied at the Victoria Park….”

Dennie also touched on the Authority’s support that is given to the Carnival Development Corporation (CDC) in cash ($1.6 million), and kind.

“Apart from making cash readily available, we are assisting with the construction of backstage facilities…. We are making more equipment available to the CDC… also we are very much on board with the new channel vC3 channel 203….

“We are working together to ensure that this cultural product that we have, that we bring it to your doorstep and living rooms, as it happens in the rural communities, throughout the length and breadth of St Vincent and the Grenadines.

Dennie used the opportunity to encourage patrons of the national lottery’s games to continue to support the games, as the Authority continues to support education, sports and culture.