Adrian Frater, News Editor
WESTERN BUREAU:
THE IMPASSE which was threatening the availability of Jarrett Park for warm-up games ahead of the 2007 ICC Cricket World Cup has been settled as the Government has decided to upgrade the unfinished Catherine Hall Stadium in Montego Bay to meet the standards for Wray & Nephew National Premier League football.
"We have had an assurance from the Government that seating will be put in place at the Catherine Hall Stadium to accommodate our Wray & Nephew NPL teams Wadadah FC and Seba United, so we decided to make the park available for the warm-up cricket games," said businessman Adrian Grant, the chairman of the Jarrett Park Management Committee (JPMC).
Just under a month ago, Grant created a stir in cricket circles when he adamantly declared that Jarrett Park would not be made available for the warm-up cricket games unless alternative arrangements were made to facilitate the two NPL teams - the park's perennial clients.
Provision
"I am for cricket, but not at the expense of our football," Grant stated at the time. "I am not for any decision that will see the football teams being kicked out without provisions being made to accommodate them elsewhere."
At the time, Grant told The Gleaner that he had written to Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller, in her capacity as Sports Minister, asking that seating be put in place at either the newly-upgraded UDC playing field or the Catherine Hall facility so that the NPL teams would be in a position to meet the Jamaica Football Federation's (JFF) 1,500-seat requirement for NPL games. However, while expressing happiness that the impasse has been settled, St. James FA President Lennox Wallace is hoping that the Government will do much more than just put in the requisite seats at the Catherine Hall facility, which is currently without bathroom and changing rooms and a perimeter wall.
"We would like to see a perimeter wall erected because, as you know, our teams generate their income from gate receipts and without a secure facility they won't be able to make any money," said Wallace. "In addition, bathrooms and changing rooms are basic necessities at the NPL level."
With the impasse settled, Grant said the Jarrett Park facility would be closed on December 31 for preparatory work ahead of the cricket practice games, which are slated for next year March.
"We are not looking at doing any major works at the park," said Grant. "We will basically be repairing the three-pitch cricket strip and doing minor work on the outfield."
The upgrading at the Catherine Hall Stadium will to be done by the Sports Development Foundation (SDF). However, no timetable for the work has been released.
