Basseterre, St. Kitts, July 24, 2014 (SKNIS): The Warner Park Cricket Stadium in St. Kitts is a hive of activity as work crews install a Very, Very Important (VVIP) stand and party stand while groundsmen prepare the field and pitch in anticipation of the debut of the Limacol Caribbean Premier League (CPL) early August.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Works, Honourable Dr. Earl Asim Martin was invited by the Minister of Sports, Honourable Glenn Phillip to visit the stadium on Wednesday (July 23) to observe the progress of the work being carried out.
“I think the work thus far is proceeding excellently,” Deputy Prime Minister Martin emphasized. “I have no doubt in my mind that it will be completed in time for our hosting of the CPL in about two weeks time.”
While agreeing, Minister Phillip explained that the upgrades are “a manifestation of the uniqueness” envisioned for the stadium that sets it apart from other regional venues. He said enhancing the fan experience, the recently installed outdoor sport lights and jumbotron, and the look and feel of the facility were important ingredients that make the stadium an attractive venue.
The Minister of Works said that he was pleased local contractors are able to use the knowledge they gained from major capital projects including the original refurbishment of the Warner Park Stadium in 2006 and construction of the Silver Jubilee Athletics Stadium in 2007.
“We are able to have the local skill on the ground and we continue to develop that local skill,” the Deputy Prime Minister stressed. “It is an investment also in the future because if we didn’t have the investment initially we would not have been able to have the CPL here. … We just recently hosted the OECS Track and Field Championships. We hosted the CARIFTA Games [in 2008] and because of the excitement, and the [Silver Jubilee] stadium, CARIFTA is asking to come back here next year. So we are doing something good with the infrastructural development and our people are involved in developing the country and are actively involved in the sporting activities.”
For the youth involved in the game of cricket, Minister Phillip said that seeing world class cricketers competing at Warner Park from August 07 to 16, should serve as an inspiration. Additionally, several players will interact with local children.
“Part of the programme that we negotiated with the CPL is for some of the stars like Chris Gayle and Marlon Samuels to go into the communities, speak to school-aged children and other persons in St. Kitts and Nevis to give them some sort of focus towards the game of cricket,” Minister Phillip disclosed.