March 2 start for new track at GC Foster

The contract was signed yesterday for construction of the new G.C. Foster College running track, beginning March 2 with an official groundbreaking ceremony.

The signing took place at the school campus between Denzil Wilks, managing director of the Sports Development Foundation (SDF) and Peter Breur, director of export/international affairs, BSW, a German company.

Natalie Neita-Headley, mini-ster with responsibility for sport; Dr Warren Blake, chairman, SDF and Dr Joyce Graham, principal; G.C. Foster College, were among those who witnessed the signing.

Wilks stated that he was very happy for the historic moment: "It is our responsibility from the SDF for the construction of the new running track and facilities and G.C. Foster College, and I am very happy for this occasion," he said.

Blake noted that the time was right for the new track.

"In 2013, we asked for the closure of the track because of the poor state it was in and since then there has been a dip in the performances locally, as in every school in Jamaica there is someone who is connected with the success of this track, and I am pleased that the facility will be back up and running soon," admitted Dr Blake, who is also president of the Jamaica Athletics Admini-strative Association.

high standard

For the minister, "it was a proud moment".

"This was long in coming. Since we made our appearance to the world in track and field in 1948, we have set the standards high as we have done so with little or no facilities. But our athletes have set the standards high," she noted.

"I remember at the Moscow World Championships, when our athletes came 1, 2, 4 in the men's 200 metres, you could see the disappointment among the fans as they wanted a clean sweep of the medals because we've always wanted to be the best," said Neita-Headley.

Breur said it will take his team five months to complete laying a new, red-coloured track, which "will last for a very long time".