Refurbished Chili Playing Field welcomed

There was nothing but high praise from users of the Chili Playing Field and residents of the area at the ceremony held last Saturday to formally re-commission the facility.{{more}}

As persons set foot on the re-grassed outfield, there were superlatives about its new look and its cushion like conditions, which were a far cry from what existed prior to the upgrade.

Similar sentiments were expressed when the public was allowed to tour the new addition to the facility – the pavilion.

Long in coming, the pavilion has two levels, with the upper level designed for seated spectators and an area for media personnel. Washroom amenities are also in place for spectators.

Meanwhile, the lower level houses two dressing rooms, a bar, a small kitchen area and a store-room.

But with the improvements come consequences, as measures have been put in place for the facility’s upkeep and management.

Chair of the National Lotteries Authority Murray Bullock, under whose aegis the refurbishment took place, urged users to “Treasure this facility”.

Bullock’s plea came as he reminded residents that they complained bitterly for many years, so it was imperative that they take care of it now that their concerns have been addressed.

Similarly, Trevor Huggins, chair of the Georgetown Area Sports Association (GASA) revealed that a decision has already been taken not to hold “blockos” at the field.

“We have decided not to allow blockos on the field after a Sunday game… The alternative is the hard court next door and you can have your after party there, but you have to first get permission from the National Sports Council,” Huggins stated.

Huggins said that the facility will not be exclusively for football, but for other sporting disciplines such as cricket, rugby, athletics and for the physical education programmes of schools in the area.

Meanwhile, parliamentary representative for North Central Windward and Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves also pitched in with a plea to take care of the facility and its management.

“There is an overriding responsibility for all of us who use the facility to keep it clean,” Gonsalves stressed.

He also cautioned about the configuration of the full management committee when it is fully installed.

“I want to see a few young people in the committee, because we need to make sure that persons who have direct contact with sports be involved in this exercise,” Gonsalves stated.

The Prime Minister further proffered, “The management committee can’t be a fren-fren business…The management committee we are setting up cannot be the lord and master of the playing field… The management committee we are setting up is to put rules in place and to help on the ground to manage the field on an ongoing basis.”

In the interim, the National Lotteries Authority has assumed the management of the Chili Playing Field. The Chili Playing Field is one of 19 sporting facilities which have received funding from the EC$ 6.5 million National Lotteries Authority budget assigned to either refurbish or create such facilities.(RT