BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - THE use of the Warner Park Football Stadium for non-football activities has drawn some concerns from president of the St. Kitts-Nevis Football Association (SKNFA) Anthony Johnson.
Over the past few months, the multipurpose facility at Warner Park has played host to a number of sporting and non-sporting activities doubling as an entertainment venue and the home of some social programmes.
However the football side of the facility staged the 18th annual St. Kitts Music Festival and a big concert featuring US rapper Rick Ross.
Additionally it will be the host of the 2014 Caribbean Cup Tournament in September, which will be hosted by the SKNFA on September 3, 5 and 7.
Speaking at a press conference last week Johnson expressed his concerns of the recent non-football activities being staged at the facility.
“We did have some concern that the football side of Warner Park was utilized during the CPL for a non-football activity and the activity in its purest sense was a non-cricket activity.
“We expressed our concerns to the authorities because we don’t believe it was the right thing to have a concert on the football field. However having said that, we have been given assurances by the authorities that the venue will be ready. We intend to do all that we can to ensure that the venue is placed in a state of readiness.”
The SKNFA President added that the lease arrangement between them and the Ministry of Sports includes a provision for national events, something he is not pleased with because of the limitations they provide.
“The issue of the use of Warner Park is one that we discuss at every meeting between the Association and the Ministry of Sports. The public might not be aware we actually operate under a lease arrangement where we lease the facility on an annual basis. But there is provision in the lease that for national events which include Music Festival and Carnival (which) are to take place from time to time on the football side.
“It is not something we are happy with because it limits our ability to plan properly over the long term. In addition to that there is the collateral damage prior to those events and after, and it results in us being without the use of the field for sometime after.”
Johnson also suggested the sourcing of an artificial turf might be a solution.
“It is not something we are happy with but the facility is being provided by the government and we appreciate that facilities are being provided. One of the things we are actually considering is acquiring an artificial turf. I believe that will enhance the quality of play.”
Team St. Kitts and Nevis will host St. Lucia, Dominica and Guyana on September 3, 5, 7 in Group 6 of the Caribbean Football Union’s (CFU) Men’s Caribbean Cup.
