Basseterre, St. Kitts (March 02, 2006): The Government of St. Kitts and Nevis is employing a new strategy to ensure that sporting facilities in the Federation are not vandalized and are properly maintained.
This policy was outlined during a presentation on the developmental plans for the Conaree Playing Field by the Director of Sport Leroy Greene, at a town hall meeting on Tuesday.
"We have said that we have some 28 playing fields (on St. Kitts). & once the community groups can prove to us that they are properly organized and can manage the facility in conjunction with the Department of Sport we'll turn over the management of these facilities to these community groups," he stated.
The meeting held at the Conaree Community Center. Mr. Greene was among presenters including the Hon. Cedric Liburd, various cricketing officials as well as representatives from the Planning Unit and the Public Works Department.
It was revealed that the entire ground, will be fenced and will feature a separate field for football and cricket. Basketball, football and netball facilities will be included on the grounds.
The Conaree Playing Field will serve as a practice facility for teams based in St. Kitts for the first round of the ICC Cricket World Cup in 2007. As such, major renovations are being done to the playing field which is estimated to cost $1.6 million. The construction is being paid for by the Stanford Investment Group.
The cricket field boasts a good irrigation and drainage system and will be complimented with concrete fencing and a pavilion. A high quality cricket pitch will also be laid, moving it within the top three sporting grounds on island.
Once complete, the cricket venue will have an important role during regional and international matches in St. Kitts and Nevis. This requires tighter control of the facility and limited access. However the basketball, netball and football facilities will have the usual liberal access.
Minister Liburd told the residents that the challenge has been extended to them to come together, form a representative group and take control of the Conaree Playing Field. He also encouraged the community to work with government and expand the beautification project as the eyes of the world will be focused there during the practice matches for the 2007 Cricket World Cup.
