An allocation of $140.9 million will be provided from the Sport Ministry’s budget of $388.8 million for the upgrade and construction of facilities to serve as training venues for the nation’s athletes and the hosting of regional and international competitions in support of T&T’s emergence as the sporting hub of the Caribbean. This was listed among the Public Sector Investment Programme 2010, which was laid in parliament during Monday’s budget presentation by Finance Minister Karen Tesheira. An area of high priority will be the preparation of the nation’s five stadia for hosting the Fifa Under-20 Women’s World Cup in 2010. Tesheira said in support of this initiative, the sum of two million will be provided for the update of the lighting systems and replacement of scoreboards at the Dwight Yorke, Larry Gomes, Mannie Ramjohn and Ato Boldon Stadia.
“In addition, preparatory work will be carried out with the sum of $10 million, on resealing the joints of seating tiers, replacement of car parks and drainage infrastructure,” Teshiera said. She said the sum of $15 million had been allocated for the payment of outstanding bills for works completed in 2009, for the development and upgrading of venues for the hosting of the cancelled 2009 Caribbean Games. Tesheira noted the development of recreational facilities was geared towards encouraging total participation in sport among the citizenry. Funding in the sum of $16 million will be allocated to the Ministry of Local Government for the upgrade of recreation grounds in the 14 corporations in addition to an allocation of $18 million to the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs for the construction of a football field, cricket pitch and jogging track with lights at Regional Grounds in Dass Trace in Cunupia, Irwin Park in Siparia, Battoo Avenue in Marabella, West Pleasantville San Fernando, Coronation Park Point Fortin, Ojoe Road Sangre Grande and Chaguanas under the Development of Regional and Sub Regional Grounds project,” Nunez -Tesheira said.
The Finance Minister said under the upgrading of Corporation Grounds project, commencement of the development of ten recreation grounds at Constantine Park, Macoya; Blanchisseuse; La Seiva Village, St Joseph; Aranguez Savannah; Hickling Village, Fyzabad; Edinburgh, Chaguanas; Carlsen Field, Chaguanas; Friendship Village, San Fernando; Vistabella and Rousillac.
She said that the construction of Sport/Youth facilities was aimed at the development of the youth population via programmes that offered positive alternatives to anti-social behaviour through sport, physical recreation and social education. Tesheira said that in order to advance this effort, the sum of $5.0 million will be allocated for the commencement of construction of the Youth Arm of Sport/Youth facility at Mayaro. She added that the five swimming pools owned by the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affais will receive $2.0 million for upgrade works to continue, also an allocation of $3.0 million will be provided for improvement works to Indoor Sporting Arenas including the Hockey Centre in Tacarigua.