Friday, March 29, 2024

Stadium track project delayed

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A lack of money has delayed the relaying of the new track at the National Stadium by more than a month.
Originally scheduled to start at the beginning of August, NATIONSPORT understands that the project, which was estimated to cost $2.2 million, will now cost more than $3 million.
The Ministry of Sport is awaiting word from the Ministry of Finance to get the go-ahead.
Attempts to ascertain the reason for the delay from Minister of Sports Stephen Lashley met with little success.
“That project is still being proceeded with,” he said.
When pressed about the reasons for the delay as well as any implications for the 2011/2012 track and field season, Lashley reiterated that the project would start on time and there would not be any impact on the start of the next season.
A memo was circulated to those who use the National Stadium, indicating that the facility would be closed on August 1 to facilitate the laying of a new track.
A reliable source told NATIONSPORT it was the lack of funding which caused the delay.
“The civil works are more than was anticipated. The IAAF [the world governing body for athletics] is insisting on drainage in order to get the certification,” the source explained.
“It makes no sense doing the work unless you can do the whole thing.
“If [a] record [is] broken and the track is not certified, it won’t be ratified. If Usain Bolt comes down here and runs 9.4, someone might say the track is not 100 metres, it is 80 metres. The IAAF is insisting there is drainage,” the source said.
Ironically, there were issues surrounding certification of the last track. Back in 2003 at the Pan Am Juniors, Bolt equalled the then world junior record of 20.13 seconds in the 200 metres, but it wasn’t properly certified and there was a delay in it being ratified.   
The civil works and laying of the track are expected to last for six months, but the source said the time could be reduced if the weather was good.
“Even though it is a month behind, it could still finish by the end of January, if it starts by the end of the month. The laying of the track and the markings are very tedious.”
The National Stadium hasn’t been officially closed, and the Amateur Athletic Association is putting its contingency plans in place.
Public relations officer Dale Moore said they looked at alternative venues, mainly schools, which would serve the whole island.
Coleridge & Parry, The Lester Vaughan School, Harrison College and Foundation were among the options, as well as the Friendship, St Michael, ground because of its size and proximity to the National Stadium.
“We had discussion with the National Sports Council, and they have agreed in principle to put in the necessary support mechanisms like sand pits and the shot put circles. Some of the schools also have high jump beds,” said Moore.

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