PM explains delays in promised major sporting facilities

The delays in the realisation of two promised major sporting facilities – the national stadium and the indoor facility has been explained by this country’s Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves.{{more}}

Speaking at the re-opening of the Chili Playing Field last Saturday, Gonsalves, who also holds the portfolio of Minister of Finance, addressed why both facilities have not come to fruition.

Gonsalves stated that it was not prudent to pursue the national stadium project after spending EC$54 million on the upgrade of Arnos Playing Fields One and Two, as well as those at Stubbs and at Sion Hill, ahead of Cricket World Cup in 2007.

“… And the global economic crisis hit us and I decided then, rather than spend another 50 odd 60 odd (million) on a stadium, which we have plans already … I will develop the rural facilities and facilities inside Kingstown, like Victoria Park and the Richmond Hill Playing Field,” Gonsalves recounted.

He also gave his take on the much needed indoor facility.

“Unfortunately we can’t develop that yet, because the Anglican School (Annexe) is inside that building,” Gonsalves said.

The building which houses the school’s annexe was an old glove factory building, and it had been proposed that it be turned into a multi- purpose indoor facility.

The proposal then was an undertaking by the National Lotteries Authority and the Canadian Bank Note (CBN). Both the national stadium and the indoor facility were promises made by the Gonsalves- led Unity Labour Party.

The national stadium site is the Diamond Estate. Among the overtures made were the setting up of a stadium committee, designs of the proposed facility and budget allocations for its feasibility studies.(RT)