Park Hill Playing Field to attain regional hosting status

The newly constructed Park Hill Playing Field has been earmarked to ease some of the pressure off the main Arnos Vale venue in the hosting of regional cricket matches.{{more}}

The intention of the authorities was made clear at the formal opening ceremony of the rural facility on Sunday, September 1.

Expressing this possibility were the main speakers: chairman of the National Lotteries Authority Murray Bullock; president of the St Vincent and the Grenadines Cricket Association Julian Jack and Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves.

Bullock said the Park Hill Playing Field, which cost EC $3 million, is one of the best, not only in St Vincent and the Grenadines, but in the OECS.

The NLA chairman advised that with future development, the venue is poised to host regional cricket matches, especially Twenty/20 competitions.

“This field is like a steel band in Calliaqua… It has potential …,” Bullock quipped.

Bullock, however, cautioned that such development must go in tandem with the necessary management structure being put in place.

“Care it, don’t vandalise it, big it up”, he advised.

Jack stated that the pitch at the Park Hill Playing Field is comparable to others touted as “good” in the region. He acknowledged that at present, there is some inconsistent bounce, but believed that over time, the pitch will settle down. Still making reference to the suitability of the Park Hill Playing Field, a confident Jack emphasized that his association has found the place at which the Twenty/20 format of cricket can be developed.

Meanwhile, Gonsalves, who is also the area representative, revealed that further development is planned for the field.

Among these, he cited lighting, the erection of a hard court, the extension of the parking area, among others.

Gonsalves said that in order to facilitate regional cricket matches, temporary seating will be provided for patrons.

Gonsalves joined the previous speakers in calling on residents of the area to treat the facility as theirs, by taking care of it.

Prior to last Sunday’s formal opening, the St Vincent and the Grenadines Cricket Association hosted at the Park Hill Field, the final of its Super-40 competition, which began the previous weekend.

But, this was not the first engagements of the facility, as during the hosting of the CBN/Winlott Inc Windward Islands School Games here in July/August, some football matches were played there.(RT)