National Stadium track refurbished

Sport Minister Olivia Grange says rehabilitation work on the National Stadium track is almost complete and the facility will be ready for action shortly.

Grange told The Gleaner that the refurbishing of the track should have been completed last year, however, it had to be delayed because of the recent rainy season.

“The resurfacing of the National Stadium track is 90 per cent complete,” she said. “We are a few days behind due to rain, but the resurfacing will be completed by the middle of next week, after which, the marking of lanes and boxes will commence.

“After the marking is completed, [World Athletics] will send a technician to test the track and issue the certification. Class One is expected as that is the current certification.”

The refurbishing work was carried out by German company BSW, who laid the previous surface in 2010.

COMMITTED TO THE DEVELOPMENT

Grange said that despite the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic state of the country, the Government is committed to the development of sports.

“I am very excited and very happy that during this period where we have our challenges with COVID-19, this is a great feeling when you can get things done in spite of the challenges,” she said.

“That is what we are doing because, those things that we can get done, we are moving ahead to get them done.”

The upgrading of the track was necessary after 10 years of usage, two more than its lifespan. Without the upgrade, it would not have retained its Class One certification by World Athletics.

Grange said the refurbishing work on the Montego Bay Sports Complex (also known as Catherine Hall) track will also begin shortly.

“As I said last year, I have asked the SDF (Sports Development Foundation) to include it in its budget, and so, very soon, I will be making the necessary announcement about the Catherine Hall track,” she said. “It is a top priority for us, and so we will be moving very swiftly to have the work get started.”

robert.bailey@gleanerjm.com