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| Warner Park |
Basseterre, St. Kitts (August 31, 2006): The management of the multi-million dollar Warner Park stadium will be done in a way to ensure that the public is able to enjoy the facility as much as possible.
At a press conference at the stadium's media center on Wednesday, Minister of State with responsibility for Sports Hon. Richard Skerritt said the management policy will take several aspects into account.
"This facility will continue to be managed in such a way that it will maintain its high standards but be accessible from time to time to a variety of activities," he noted. "This facility was not put here to be a "white elephant." This facility was put here to serve the public of St. Kitts and Nevis and in terms of cricket and certain other entertainment activities, to serve the region."
Finishing touches are still being made to the cricket complex to prepare it to host first round matches of the ICC Cricket World Cup. Work on the football section is nearing completion and has a deadline for the end of September 2006. Minister Skerritt expressed pleasure with the way the facility is taking shape.
Meanwhile, Chairman of the Local Organising Committee Charles Wilkin Q.C. said the ICC Cricket World Cup West Indies 2007 Act of 2006 was necessary for St. Kitts and Nevis to meet it's obligation to stage matches to world class standards.
He read a preamble to the so called "Sunset Legislation" to ensure persons were familiar with its terms of reference.
~~Adz:Right~~It is "an Act to make provision for the fulfillment of St. Christopher and Nevis" commitment to the efficient and effective staging of ICC Cricket World Cup West Indies 2007 and to provide for related or incidental matters," he explained.
Issues covered in the Act include the protection of sponsors, control of venue, special visa requirements, exemption of duties for player's income earned, merchandising and other related areas. The Act also addresses security and traffic procedures and allows banks, shops and other related commercial entities to open on public holidays or other times when they customarily are closed.
The Act is expected to be gazetted and available for public review within the coming weeks. It expires June 30, 2007, hence the term "Sunset" being used to describe it. Similar legislation must be passed in each host venue for CWC 2007.
Chief Executive Officer for CWC St. Kitts-Nevis Ltd. Horatio Versailles said public relations will be stepped up to ensure persons are familiar with the guidelines for the 2007 event, particularly the Sunset Legislation.
He said individuals should not panic as the Act merely is a "framework for everyone to enjoy themselves & (and) be secure in their environment and feel comfortable in doing so."
