NSC getting to the root

Expect fewer closures of the Grammar School Playing Field as the National Sports Council (NSC) is moving swiftly to correct existing problems at that facility.

The NSC has been forced to take the tough decision again to close the field for restorative work until June 29.{{more}}

A decision that its manager Osbourne Browne said was inevitable granted the “wear and tear” it was dealt over the past months.

Browne told SEARCHLIGHT that it was done in the interest of all concerned.

“Because of its overuse we had to take the decision to close it,” Browne said.

“Also the dry season did not help the situation,” he added.

Browne cited the presence of worms as one on the major causes for the ground being so devoid of grass.

In a proactive move the NSC has retained the services of Lauron Baptiste, an employee with the Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI).

“Last Saturday he sprayed the grass with pesticide and he is advising us on the correct fertiliser to be applied,” the NSC Manager stated.

An optimistic Browne opined that with the expertise of Baptiste fully utilised there should be a better growth of the grass there.

Baptiste, a former St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Windwards Under-19 captain and a national senior cricketer has been the man credited for the excellent condition of the London Playing Field located in the North Windward constituency.

Browne is hopeful that he will lend his knowledge to the other facilities under the auspices of the NSC.

In recent times the NSC has made several closures to remove unwanted shrubs and grasses. Similar decisions were made for other facilities.

The Grammar School Playing Field for the better part of the last 12 months has received a steady pounding, as it was the main sporting arena used in Kingstown.

The unavailability of the Sion Hill and Arnos Vale Playing Fields as they were among the venues for Cricket World Cup warm up matches held here in March, and the stricter control of the Victoria Park, occasioned the greater demand for the field.

Requesting the patience of its users, Browne is asking that the Green Hill and Largo Heights playing fields be also opitimised.

The Grammar School Playing Field apart from being the facility frequently used by the communities in Kingstown, it also services several schools in its immediate environs.