By Vernon Daley, Staff Reporter 
Henry-Wilson
WITH THE National Arena in St. Andrew being refurbished, the ruling People's National Party is eyeing possible venues outside the Corporate Area for its annual conference set for September 21-22.
Earlier this month, there were suggestions that the party might opt to use the much larger National Stadium for the conference, but Maxine Henry-Wilson, the party's general secretary, suggested that the PNP had reservations about using it for that purpose.
"We have some concerns about the use of the National Stadium for that kind of activity," Mrs. Henry-Wilson said.
Today, party will be meeting with officials of the National Stadium to work through the difficulties involved in holding its annual conference there. Mrs. Henry-Wilson said a large sum had been spent in refurbishing the Stadium for the recent World Junior Games and the party was concerned to protect the investment.
According to her, the PNP was now looking at other venues, including some outside the Corporate Area of Kingston and St. Andrew, as possible sites for the two-day pre-election conference. However, she would not be drawn on naming the sites.
NETBALL CHAMPS
The Gleaner reported earlier this month that the arena had been closed to facilitate refurbishing work to be undertaken by Venezuelan firm, Techno Consultants. The work is being undertaken to prepare the building to host the World Netball Championships next July.
The Jamaica Labour Party was scheduled to have its conference in November but is opting for an earlier date at a venue yet to be identified. Olivia 'Babsy' Grange, a JLP deputy leader, said the party intended to have a conference this year, but would have to find a venue.
The PNP's election manifesto is likely to be released to the public at its annual conference. Mrs. Henry-Wilson, while tiptoeing around questions regarding the launch of the manifesto, said, "It could very well be at conference time."
