There is a distinct possibility that the Tobago Football Association (TFA) will not be hosting any football matches at the Dwight Yorke Stadium this year because of an increase in the rental fees, according to TFA president Harvey Jack.
Jack stated that instead of the $800 per night that they paid for the Stadium last year, they will now have to pay $5,000 per night which he said is ridiculous and will force them out of the Stadium.
According to Jack, the matches against the USA and National Under 17 teams should have been played at the Stadium but because of the fees they are forced to utilised the refurbished Plymouth recreation ground.
Jack noted that he had planned to write the Ministry of Sports seeking a waiver on the fees but was advised to let the Sports Division address the situation with the Ministry of Sports on their behalf.
The TFA president also told the Tobago News that the Stadium does not possess a liquor license and since last year he had written the Stadium management for permission to apply for a temporary license but to date has received no reply.
He added that sales at the bar assist greatly with their revenues.
He also complained that the time clock is not working properly, there is no pipe-borne water and there are holes in the fence.
Tobago News spoke to Anthony Price, manager of the Stadium about the situation and he said that the fees have been increased for all the Stadia in Trinidad and Tobago, adding that they are now in possession of a memo from the Ministry of Sports with the revised and increased fees and a grading for matches.
According to Price, there are four gradings for matches, A, B, C, and D. D is the lowest, costing $3,000 per night for use of the field and $2,000 for the lights. Price said that the $800 fee that the TFA was paying per night was an arrangement he had made with the past General Secretary of the Association, Kenny Alfred, because he knew that paying a high fee for the Stadium would have been unfeasible for the TFA since the turn-out for matches are usually poor. However, he stressed that it is now out of his hands because the TFA have received the memo from the Ministry of Sports. He added that they may have to deal directly with the Ministry of Sports to try and get a special price for the use of the Stadium.
Concerning the bar license and other issues, he said that the Ministry has also implemented a policy to keep the stadia under their control drug free, except for special events and noted that he has made recommendations for much needed refurbishment work to be done at the Dwight Yorke Stadium but it is now up to the Ministry of Sports.