Government is one step closer to delivering on a modern, multipurpose indoor facility, fulfilling a promise made to the sporting and cultural fraternities in St. Kitts and Nevis.
Minister of State responsible for Tourism, Sports and Culture, Honourable Richard Skerritt, told SKNIS that late last year his Ministry began the process of assembling specifications for a facility, capable of staging international level basketball, netball and volleyball games as well as cultural events.
Earlier this year, a local architectural and engineering firm was commissioned to develop a concept for the facility. A design was submitted which took into account specifications from Government officials and stakeholders from various sporting and cultural organizations.
“They have completed … the main draft design for the facility which has gone to Cabinet and been accepted in principle,” Minister Skerritt stated, adding that contributing persons also reviewed the plans. “The design process is nearing completion and the costing of it is going along with that process. We have come quite far … in the last six to nine months.”
He indicated that the preferred site for the facility is Port Zante and managers at the Urban Development Corporation - which owns Port Zante - have agreed in principle to host the proposed 2,500 capacity complex.
Preliminary estimates place the cost of the facility in excess of US $5 million.
The Minister of State explained that the price tag was influenced by the inclusion of international level specifications to ensure world-class matches and performances can be staged. He added that Government will carefully consider avenues to move forward with the project.
“We are the Ministry that launched the “It’s Working” campaign and we are very serious about it,” he said, referring to the national pride initiative which boasts of continued developments in St. Kitts and Nevis, including sports. “We believe in delivering and … the Prime Minister … promised [the complex] because he knew it was in demand.”
The Minister reminded that the Ministry of Tourism, Sports and Culture opened the new Warner Park Cricket Stadium in 2006, a refurbished football stadium in 2007 and the new Silver Jubilee Athletics Stadium at Bird Rock in 2008.
“Now we are saying … that in 2009, we are completing the design of a modern, multipurpose indoor center for sports and the performing arts.”
The full interview with Minister Skerritt can be heard on this week’s edition of SKNIS radio magazine programme, Perspectives.