The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

THE transformation is coming together for the Queen Elizabeth Sports Centre as it continues to embrace itself as the sporting mecca of the Caribbean.

The National Sports Authority, which has been entrusted with the upkeep of the facilities, inclusive of the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium, the Betty Kelly Kenning Swim Complex and the Kendal GL Isaacs Gymnasium, has patted itself on the back for the way things are progressing.

The NSA prides itself on turning the gymnasium into a conference room for the successful hosting of the International Civil Aviation Organisation’s annual conference this week. But NSA general manager Jeffrey Beckles said it’s just the beginning of bigger and better things to come.

“This facility, which has been sitting for a while, has life and it has a future,” Beckles said as he and NSA chairman Lynden Maycock took the media on a tour of the improvements made to the facilities yesterday.

“As a matter of fact, at the opening on Monday, the Prime Minister and some of our other leaders came in and were really amazed at the transformation of the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium.

“What we would like to say is that it was done by all an All-Bahamian talent. The team here at the NSA and LOC Bahamas pooled our resources. We have some creative persons on our team and together we were able to transform the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium and transform the western grandstand of the stadium and transform the Betty Kelly into one of best places to hold a reception.”

On the outside of the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium, more than 45,000 square feet in parking space has been paved, providing a smooth access to the service entrance and into the three outdoor basketball courts.

“We can now set up and host an exterior event because much like we did with the Aviation conference where we hosted an event and didn’t even go into the stadium, we have multiple means of driving revenue by hosting events outdoors,” Beckles said.

“I’m very proud at this time to be a part of the NSA to see where we have been able to achieve as a collective team and to showcase the facilities that we have here at the NSA. We have to show what the future use of these facilities are and how they can play into the future of our economic life here.”

In addition to all of the upgrade to the facilities at the QESC, Beckles said the NSA has replaced the old field on the infield of the TAR Stadium in time for the Popeyes Bowl College game on December 23 at a cost of $800,000.

“Once completed, the infield will have a brand new drainage system, irrigation system and will also be celebration Bermuda, similar to that at the National Stadium,” Beckles said.

He also noted that the second part of the upgrade involves the development of a throwing practice area for discus, javelin and shot put.

“Beckles said they have identified the areas just west of the 110m warm up stretch where we will have an IAAF approved runway, which was installed by MONDO earlier.

“The creation of this throwing area also alleviates the safety concerns that existed at the TAR infield where during the season as many as four hundred young track athletes were competing for the same space in the infield as those athletes who were practicing their throwing disciplines,” he said.

“So this goes a long way in eliminating that safety issue and allows for coaches and trainers to pay closer attention to their athletes without the hassle of working in a congested area.”

Meanwhile, the NSA is also looking at the opening of the Sports Museum in the old bunker opposite the TAR Stadium and the KGLI Gymnasium.

“This is a World War II bunker on the original site of hat was the largest airport in the world in 1942,” Maycock said. “This was where the fighter pilots used to fly out of. It’s a World War II bunker that we have transformed into the NSA Museum.

“In this bunker, we will be exhibiting our sporting heroes. Right now we are exhibiting artifacts for the International Civil Aviation Organization conference.”

The field that was dug up from the infield of the TAR Stadium is being used to cover the ground on the outside of the bunker while on the inside, portions of the floor that was removed from inside the TAR Stadium, has been used to cover the ground.

Maycock said they have gotten a lot of assistance from a number of Bahamians who have provided artifacts that they will have on display on the wall and used on the monitors of the large TV screens.

“This is a proud day for us. We see this as another tourist attraction for the Bahamas,” he said. “We have thousands of tourists who come through here on a daily basis. It’s a facility where they can come through and see our sporting heroes.”

The museum will be able to secure some funding as persons will be charged a fee of $2-3 to enter to tour the facility and also purchase items from the logo store that will be erected at the back of the museum.

Maycock is also hoping that the local schools will be able to take advantage of the museum by coming in and researching the sports legends on display.

Students will be charged $1 for entry into the facility, which has caused about $60-70,000 for its total restoration. It is expected to be officially opened and in full operation by February 2017.

With all of the upgrades to the facilities, Beckles said they have tighten up their security in and around the facilities because the NSA have to ensure that the venues will remain a viable entity for all to enjoy.