... Residents call for greater usage
RESIDENTS OF the Sligoville community are demanding greater usage of the Sligoville Stadium. “It’s only when events are taking place you see things happening. They don’t really service it as how they are supposed to, and we are not comfortable with it. It’s a sports facility and we expect more from it. We want it used on a frequent basis. Every weekend, there should be a sports event here,” said Sashawna Powell.
Kenrick Thomas says that the community is calling out for some development and the complex is just being wasted.
“We would like more things taking place that can benefit us in the community. Just once a year we can benefit (Emancifest in July 31 and August 1), so we need more things,” he commented.
Talmar Warren, the player-coach of the Sligoville St Catherine Division Two team, says that it is being used more regularly, but a lot more can be done to make the complex a springboard for sports development in the community.
“As it is, we want people to be able to use this to find a way into the sporting arena, whichever field; football, cricket, basketball— whatever field they can go in and make a life for themselves, family and friends. That is what we want for Sligoville,” he said.
MARKED IMPROVEMENTS
When The Gleaner visited the multi-sports complex earlier this week, it showed marked improvements since our last visit some three years ago, and the brown and cream painting on the complex suggested GC Foster had a major hand in its revitalisation.
The complex consists of a 600-seat basketball and netball court, with lighting and fencing a 1,200-seat cricket oval; a 1,500-seat football field, with a sixlane, 400-metre track circling the football field.
The chain-link fence enclosing the stadium, which was almost gone, has been replaced. The crystallised plastic seats in the stands, the majority of which were completely destroyed, have been changed to concrete and painted over.
The old torn-up football nets have been changed, with the field being in good playing condition, however, the running track is not visible.
The dilapidated seating at the basketball/netball court has also changed to board seats, but the courts are cracked and stained by black spots. One of the basketball hoops has been rooted out from apparent rot and wear at its foundation, with the surrounding fencing all gone except for the rotting fence posts.
Five of the 11 casings for floodlights are broken and obviously needs repair based on some loose wires.
- LS