BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, Mar. 29.2018 – THE Nevis Island Government has officially opened the EC$10 million Sugar Industry Diversification Foundation (SIDF)-sponsored Mondo Track.
Located in Long Point, the track boasts a state-of-the-art surface not found anywhere else in the Caribbean, nor in many parts of the world.
Premier, Mark Brantley, while addressing the opening of the facility, said the ceremony is a momentous and historic occasion for the island of Nevis, pointing out that the track is the only nine-lane facility in the Caribbean.
The nine-lane track is only the third of its kind in the world with special technology used by Mondo, according to Brantley – with China and Brazil boasting the other two.
“This track, I am advised, is the only nine lane facility in the entire Caribbean, and the only facility in the Caribbean and third in the world to use the technology track surface developed by Mundo.”
In addition to the new nine-lane track, the Mundo stadium also boasts a new two hundred meter warm up facility.The stadium also has a new football pitch up to FIFA specification.
“Never before, in the history of our island, have we invested such a large sum of money in a sporting facility. To date, this is an investment of roughly $11 million.”
Reflecting on the decision to construct the facility, Brantley pointed out that the government realized that the ETW Park was under severe “stress”, since it was being used for cricket, football and athletics.
Against that backdrop, the Premier disclosed that a determination was made that the facility should be strictly dedicated to the pastime of the cricket, and a new venue for football and athletics be constructed.
He explained that several sites were surveyed, and the Long Point Location was determined as the most suitable location for the construction by Mondo.
A monetary profit from the undertaking is not assured, Brantley noted, adding that over the years due to depreciation it may lose its value.
However, he pointed out that when they made a determination to invest in such, it was to assist young people in reaching their full potential.
