Paul-Andre Walker, Staff Reporter

JAMAICA'S MAJOR sporting venues have come away virtually unscathed from the threat of category four winds surrounding hurricane Ivan.

The National Stadium's latest technological acquisition, the video scoreboard, has successfully survived its first hurricane.

While throngs used the National Arena as a shelter from the pummelling winds and rains of hurricane Ivan, the scoreboard was protected from the wind and rain by large pieces of plyboard garnered for just such an eventuality.

Managing director of Independence Park Limited, Michael Hall, was thankful that the stadium stood up well.

"I'm thankful to say that from all the accounts of those on sight, the stadium has stood up well and is in much the same fashion as it had been prior to Ivan's approach," he said.

With the World Cup qualification in full swing, this is good news to the Reggae Boyz contingent that fought their way back into contention for one of the three and a half World Cup places up for grabs in the CONCACAF group.

OTHER FACILITIES

The other facilities outside of the stadium have also remained intact with the outdoor basketball court coming out untouched. The National Indoor Sports Centre, however, did suffer from leaks in the changing rooms towards the eastern side of the facility, which wasn't a new problem and it didn't create any damage to speak of.

Another major venue, Sabina Park, made itself ready for its inevitable facelift for matches in the ICC 2007 Cricket World Cup.

A portion of the roof over the east wing of the George Headley stand, for instance, was vacant after hurricane winds ripped apart zinc. The top stands of the Kingston Cricket Club was in even worse shape as its roof could be found lying in the parking lot behind the prestigious club, where the bow shape of what used to be a metal billboard overlooks proceedings.

While the damage gives testament to the strength of the hurricane, it isn't expected that it will hinder the progress of developing a first class venue for the 2007 World Cup. Efforts to contact Chief Executive Officer of the Jamaica Cricket Association, Brian Breese, to have his response regarding the effect that the damages might have, proved unsuccessful.

ESCAPE

Jarrett Park, the island's premier sporting venue in Montego Bay, also seems to have escaped major damage ­ at least from a distance. Checks by The Gleaner revealed a locked gate to the facility, but inspections from a distance suggested that the roof and facilities within eight had remained intact. Efforts to contact those in charge of the day-to-day running of the venue also proved unsuccessful.

On a smaller scale, the Melbourne Cricket ground, home to one of the most dominant cricketing forces over the last decade, received a setback, as the roof of its stands had forcibly vacated the premises, leaving the club with damages that could run them a pretty penny.

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