[dropcap]B[/dropcap]y now most St Lucians are familiar with the grandiose plans by this government associated with the Pearl of the Caribbean. Just wait till you hear what they have in store when it comes to upgrading and developing sports facilities in this country.
At a recent press briefing at the Ministry of Youth Development and Sports conference room, the topic of discussion was the next phase of the National Sports Program Infrastructure Development Strategy for 2018-20.
Managing Director of the Sports and Events Group for the Parker Company Consultant, Don Lockerbie, was introduced to the media as the individual spearing the initiative to change an transform St Lucia’s sporting landscape.
Besides Lockerbie, Ricky Alexander, attache` to the Minister of Youth Development and Sports, Edmund Estephane attended the press briefing.
During his brief remarks Alexander said: “From the government standpoint they made it very clear in its principles of commitment to the people of St Lucia, that youth development among many other issues as a top priority. In that regard the government is moved into action to develop the sports infrastructure and programming development of the youth sector, spearheaded by the Department of Youth Development and Sports under the auspices of the Honorable Edmund Estephane. We recognize that our young people have tremendous potential, tremendous talent and we are moving into the direction of sports as a career.”
Lockerbie who most of you will remember was the CEO when the Caribbean hosted the 2007 Cricket World Cup, mentioned how he became associated with what is now called Master Planning for the National Sports Strategy of Saint Lucia.
He said: “It has now been almost a year since we started the Master Planning part of the project. The Master Planning part of the project was initiated as early as May 2017. I received a phone call from the Prime Minister asking if I would make my way back to St Lucia to undertake with him some discussion with the Minister of Sports, regarding the status, condition and future of sport and entertainment facilities in the country.”
Lockerbie explained that using a well-known American Engineering and architectural firm called Stewart, they embarked a year ago assessing over 150 sports facilities in the country. He noted it was a very costly venture when it came to maintenance and repairs to these facilities.
Referring to the Master Plan he said: “We have not yet fully published the Master Plan yet because it still needs some final tweaks, but in the next month or two it will be published. He gave his assurance there will be something in the Master Plan for everyone as it addresses 30 to 40 venues that will either be upgraded or completely new.
Lockerbie feels the government is ready to embark on phase two, that identifies several venues that need immediate attention. He listed the following: The Soufriere Mini Stadium which will consist of a world class 400 metre track and football ground.
Turning his attention the George Odlum Stadium he said: “The George Odlum Stadium is not usable, has not been usable for quite some time. Football has been playing their World Cup Qualifiers and international friendlies at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground. They are not happy there and trust me, the cricket people aren’t happy that they are there. It is not a good marriage.”
He pointed out that in the absence of a national stadium in the true sense of the word, that the Mini Stadium in Soufriere would be turned into a temporary new national venue for football. In Lockerbie’s estimation the completion date would be late 2019.
What’s does the future hold for the George Odlum Stadium/Hospital.
He went on to mention that several other venues have been selected for further development with Desruisseaux being used as a model for other venues throughout the country. Then there’s Micoud. The Master Plan calls for a FIFA playing field along with several outdoor courts for basketball, netball and volleyball, cricket nets and eventually a 25 metre public swimming pool.
Dennery also came into sharp focus. He said; “We are hoping to take the sport facility and migrate it to the coast, to the waterfront, along with a walking trail so that we are creating a safe walking wonderful environment, which makes the whole thing more like a park. So the waterfront of Dennery connects to the sport facilities for events. Dennery is the model for the bigger multi-sport complex.
To be continued!
