The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

WHILE plans were announced on Wednesday for the hosting of the 2013 Carifta Games, Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Dr Daniel Johnson said they are working feverishly to ensure that the new Thomas A Robinson Track and Field Stadium is completed for full occupancy by the end of the year.

The 41st version of the Carifta Games is all set to be held March 28 to April 1, marking the first official track and field meet that will be staged in the 15,000 seat capacity arena.

But Johnson said they are planning to host a major event in December, the details of which will be forthcoming.

“We have a big maintenance crew in there now. That was the first and major thing that we wanted to do,” Johnson said. “We want them to make sure that the stadium is maintained in a first class manner going forth, so we are in transition with the National Sports Authority in handing over all of the pieces of the puzzle by year end.

“We are just putting in the finishing touches so that we will be able to start hosting events there by year’s end. We launched the official local organising committee for Carifta, so while they are preparing for them, we are preparing to put on something big in December. We will soon be up and rolling.”

If you pass by the new stadium, which is located in the heart of the Queen Elizabeth Sports Center, one would notice that the new roads from Thompson Boulevard that will traverse and connect to the new road at the rear of the stadium and the round-a-bout is almost complete.

However, there seems to be a lot of cosmetic work that still needs to be finished around the outside of the stadium, including the parking area. While a lot of the parking lot has been tarred, workmen are putting up the lighting fixtures and also planting trees and green spaces.

“There isn’t too much left for us to do,” Johnson said. “We are working very hard to have everything completed by December when the first event is held there.”

Although the actual stadium is completed by the People’s Republic of China as their gift to the Government of the Bahamas, Johnson noted that there is still some minor repairs that have to be made on the inside of the facility, but not to the extent that was originally thought.

“We have to make some changes to the markings for the steeplechase, but there isn’t anything major that needs to be done,” he said. “If there is, we intend to have it done once we get ready for the handover to the Sports Authority, which we intend to do by the end of the year.

“We have one more site inspection that we have to pass in November. So if there is any changes that need to be made, I’m sure we will be able to do that within the 3-4 weeks before the handover to the Sports Authority is made so that we can begin hosting events in the stadium by December.”

Although the Sports Authority, which is still headed by Leroy Archer, will assume the responsibility for the stadium, Johnson said they will work hand in hand with a committee from his ministry in the interim stage just to make sure that there is transparency in the manner in which the stadium is operated.

“We are going to have a joint commission to manage the scenario of the stadium to bring it up to international standard as we partner with both the local and international bodies for track and field and soccer,” said Johnson, referring to the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations (BAAA) and their parent body, the International Amateur Athletic Federation (IAAF) and the Bahamas Football Association (BFA) and their parent body, International Federation of Association Football (FIFA).

“We have multiple events as we try to create a sports industry and we have a lot of exciting plans for the sports complex.”

Johnson said the reason for the lengthy period to have the work completed around the stadium is because they are trying to put in the infrastructure for the new baseball and softball fields, an indoor multi-purpose arena, the hot rod racing and a new nine-hole golf course, as well as some repairs to the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium, the Betty Kelly Kenning Aquatic Center and the National Tennis Center.

“We are laying the pipes down for all of these facilities one time,” he said. “We are prep them all now. We’re jamming right now.”

In about two weeks, Johnson promises to announce plans for the major “surprise” event that will be staged at the new TAR stadium in December.