‘Be my guest’
Cricket fraternity on board with use of Trelawny Stadium for entertainment purposes
Published:Saturday | June 26, 2021 | 12:05 AMKavarly Arnold/Gleaner Writer
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Western Bureau: Cricket stakeholders say they have no issues with the Trelawny Stadium being used to host entertainment events. Prime Minister Andrew Holness announced on Tuesday that the entertainment industry will be allowed to reopen on July 1...
Western Bureau:
Cricket stakeholders say they have no issues with the Trelawny Stadium being used to host entertainment events.
Prime Minister Andrew Holness announced on Tuesday that the entertainment industry will be allowed to reopen on July 1 under controlled measures. The Government has offered venues to stakeholders rent-free.
The stadium is no stranger to hosting entertainment events, as it hosted the Jazz and Blues Festival in the past, and daytime concerts more recently.
Jamaica Cricket Association Chief Executive Officer Courtney Francis says that any use of the venue is good, as long as the playing pitches are protected.
“Sports itself can not maintain the sustenance of the property so it has to be diversified,” he said. “We do not play enough games to maintain the facility. We see where Sabina Park struggles with maintenance as well. We are lucky to have even 10 days of international cricket. So we have to ensure both income-generating events.
“What the concern would be for me is how the playing surface is maintained. Albeit, you have other activities at the venue, there must be clear guidelines on how it is done.”
NO ISSUES IF PROTOCOLS ARE MET
Trelawny Cricket Association President Chester Anderson says that, as long as activities remain in the car park and away from the field, he has no issues.
“Years ago, they had Jazz and Blues there that caused severe damage to the field,” he said. “More recently, entertainment events have been held there but in the car park.”
Astor Black, organiser for Reggae In The Sun, a daytime concert for cruise tourists at the stadium, is excited by the prime minister’s announcement.
“I am actually now writing to all the travel agencies, the tour operators, and everybody,” he said. “I am hoping that the prime minister will ‘fly the gate’ at the end of this month.”
The stadium was opened in 2007, through an agreement with the People’s Republic of China and the Government, which contributed US$30 million to have it completed. It hosted the opening ceremony and warm-up matches during the 2007 ICC Cricket World Cup. The facility has since seen little activity and generated little revenue.