PM: Indoor facility coming

St. Vincent and the Grenadines could soon get a much needed multi-purpose Indoor Sporting Complex.{{more}}

The site earmarked is the Old Anglican School Annex, located on Lower Bay Street in the capital, Kingstown.

Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves made this disclosure as he addressed the launch of the 2010/2011 Community Education and Cricket Programme, “Sport For Life”, held at the Double Decker Stand, at the Arnos Vale Playing Field, last Saturday morning.

Gonsalves said he has given approval to the Chairman of the National Lotteries Authority(NLA) to purchase from National Properties Limited, the property which was also an old Glove Factory, and which sits on half acre of land.

The Prime Minister stated that several overtures had been made by businessmen who wanted the spot for other purposes, while sporting associations were demanding that it be used as a multipurpose centre.

“Many wanted it for distribution purposes, as we have limited space in town,” Gonsalves said.

“So what do we do? Do we give it to young people,” the Prime Minister asked rhetorically.

“Some may say it does not create any jobs, but we have to develop the whole individual,” he added.

“In any case, we do not have enough open space for recreation,” Gonsalves further pointed out.

The Prime Minister revealed that the cost and the terms of sale are being worked out, but the NLA may not have all the funds needed for a project of such magnitude, and the Canadian Bank Note (CBN) may be tapped to come on board as a partner.

Gonsalves said that it will be an expensive venture, with durable courts for both Netball and Basketball, with a gymnasium below, in order to maximize space.

The Prime Minister’s disclosure follows other pronouncements made by Minister of National Mobilisation, Youth and Sports Mike Browne and Minister of State in that ministry, Ces Mc Kie, who both identified the Girls’ High School hard court and the Arnos Vale Netball Complex, as potential sites for such an undertaking.

The National Lotteries Authority recently installed lights at the Calliaqua Playing Field, and completed a pavilion at the hard court located at Sion Hill Village.

The construction of a pavilion at the Green Hill Playing Field, the resurfacing, lighting and fencing of the Rose Place hard court, the construction of a pavilion and the re-grassing of the Ottley Hall Playing Field are other projects done by the National Lotteries Authority over the past two years.

Additionally, the NLA have carried out repairs to the fence and pavilion at the Cane End Playing Field; they have constructed a hardcourt and pavilion in Biabou, and are in the process of constructing a much needed Players Pavilion, replacing the wooden stand at the western end of the Victoria Park.(RT)