NO DISRUPTIONS DURING STADIUM RENOVATIONS – BROWN
THE NATION’S premier sporting arena is set for a facelift over the next few years and general manager of the facility ’s management company, Independence Park Limited (IPL), Major Desmon Brown, is looking forward to the improvements.
“Things are being addressed with the Government, and we are actually dealing with the PIOJ ( Planning I nstitute of Jamaica) right now to get capital funding,” said Brown.
Brown confirmed that renovations to the National Stadium would be a five year project, which would commence when funding is approved. He also underscored that while the facilities are being upgraded, it will not severely affect the staging of other events at the venue.
FIVE-YEAR PLAN
“The five-year plan to refurbish the stadium will allow it (National Stadium) to be used while upgrades are being made,” remarked Brown.
Also, Brown emphasised that the changes to the facilities would put the Government in a better position to submit bids for future games.
“We may not be able to bid for bigger games, like the multisports event, but like the World Juniors or World Championship perhaps,” shared an optimistic Brown.
With the annual ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls’ Athletics Championships just days away, Major Brown is confident, the venue will be up to standard before the event gets under way.
“We have hosted a number of events this year, but only a few touch-ups here and there, nothing major, and we will be ready,” said Brown.
Brown also t ook ti me t o address the issue of crowd control, which has been a problem i n the past as he highlighted that aside from minor tweaks, things would proceed as usual this year due to the fact that the stadium still has the same number of seats as last year.
However, patrons are being urged to comply with procedures in order to avoid chaos at the event.
The five-day championship gets under way on Tuesday March 20th.
“We have hosted a number of events this year, but only a few touch-ups here and there, nothing major, and we will be ready.”