Arnos Vale Sports Complex to get financial injection

The Arnos Vale Sports Complex will see another EC$600,000 pumped into its facilities.{{more}}

This was announced last Tuesday, December 13, by Minister of Transport and Works, Urban Development and Local Government Senator Julian Francis at the House of Assembly, as the 2012 Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure were being debated.

The Arnos Vale Sports Complex, which encompasses the Arnos Vale One and Two Playing Fields and the Arnos Vale Netball Complex, will host two major events in 2012.

The Arnos Vale One Playing Field is the venue for three One-Day International Cricket matches between the West Indies and Australia on Friday, March 16, Sunday, March 18 and Tuesday, March 20.

Also carded for the complex is the Jean Pierre Caribbean Netball Association Under-16 Netball Tournament in early April.

Much of the attention to the Arnos Vale One will be centered on the sand- based outfield, which has taken a pounding in recent times.

At present, the showpiece venue has been closed for an indefinite period, to allow restorative work to continue.

The sprucing up of the complex became necessary as a result of natural wear and tear, as well as damage caused in 2010, following the passage of Hurricane Tomas in October.

Among the damage, was the ridging of the Double Decker Stand located at the eastern side of the facility, and the Players Pavilion, which had two of the canopies at the Viewing Area ripped apart and destroyed.

Additionally, the perimeter fence, leading to the venue from the bridge at the eastern end of Arnos Vale Two to the Double Decker Stand, also gave way.

Also sustaining damage was the bar at the southern end of the Netball Complex, which lost its entire roof, and there was displacement of the fences around the courts.

The Arnos Vale Playing Fields the Stubbs Playing Field and the Sion Hill Playing Field, went through extensive redo in 2006, in preparation for the hosting of World Cup Warm-Up matches, prior to World Cup 2007, which the Caribbean hosted.

The cost of that upgrade has been put at EC$54 million.(RT)