Diamond Track Facility and its future

The Diamond Track Facility opened November 2020, was a delivery on a promise by the sitting government of St Vincent and the Grenadines.

Indeed, it was a fulfilment of the need for our athletes to train and compete on a synthetic surface, that would make them better prepared for regional and international competitions.

And, that has been embraced with a sense of gratitude by athletes, coaches, parents and the general public.

The presence of the track cannot be understated as it has given the country a sense of pride of achievement and the good feeling that we are getting into the mix.

That pride escalated last weekend, Saturday and Sunday, March 9 and 10, when thirty, young Barbadian athletes trekked across to St Vincent be part of Team Athletics SVG’s Carifta trials.

What more can we say of the importance of the track, as our young athletes at some points prior to

2020, had to go to St Lucia, Grenada, Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados, to make qualifying standards?

Now, we are at the other end of the road looking at the transitions and transformations.

So, we have moved from just a track and some bleachers for seating, with gradual improvements from over time.

Public pressure forced the construction of wash rooms (albeit insufficient), the employment of security to ensure that the facility is not vandalized or misused.

Most recently, the bleachers have been covered, thus, transformed into pavilions.

But, there was much noise and disappointment when the venue was closed during the month of February to facilitate the process.

Admittedly, the wait and the unavailability of the facility have been replaced by all smiles as the comfort now, was worth the temporary stalling of Track and Field activities there.

Notwithstanding that newest development, there must be a systematic approach as it pertains to the remaining infrastructural needs of the facility.

However, one gets the sense that the relevant authorities, namely the Ministry with responsibility for Planning etc. is going at it all alone when it comes to what takes place at the Diamond Track Facility, which should eventually evolve into the Sir Vincent Beache Stadium.

Whilst it is a government-centred project, that does not dismiss the need for dialogue and collaboration of expertise, wisdom and experience.

Fortunately, St Vincent and the Grenadines possesses persons who have a wealth of knowledge of what obtains with modern Track and Field operations, stadium demands and the necessities of the Diamond Track Facility.

The government officials, no matter how well qualified they are, do not have all the know how to maximise the facility by utilizing every square metre, and fit appropriately with the rest of the amenities and structures remaining.

It is not too late to have the conversations and let us work together to move the Diamond Track Facility to be the envy in the Eastern Caribbean.

Is it in the will of the political electorate to rope in those who do not share the same party support, but who understand what needs to be done to the facility?

We have to begin to ‘man up’ and place national development ahead of political preference.

The potentialities of the Diamond Track Facility are glaring given the synergies that are framed in tow with other sectors.

In conclusion it is high time that some management organisation be configured to guide the evolution, pathway, and final product outlook of the Diamond Track Facility.