Getting TBSC ready for CARIFTA

By Cayman Sports Buzz
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Updated: 16 November 2018

The track at the stadium is to be re-laid ahead of the championships.

Truman Bodden Sports Complex is set to undergo a facelift as preparations intensify for the hosting of the 2019 CARIFTA Track and Field Championships next April.

Among the major works that’s expected to be done in December are upgrades to the track. CARIFTA 2019 Local Organising Committee Member Bert Francis provided an update at the recent Cayman Islands Athletic Association AGM.

He said the track “would not be torn up but would be re-laid” to include new 30m relay transition zones. This work, he said, would take no more than four weeks to complete and was expected to be finished before the domestic track and field season kicks into high gear in January.

The grassy area between the long jump track and the grandstand will be replaced with pavers.

Raising the CARIFTA Flag (L-R): Esther Maynard – Technical Delegate, NACAC President Victor Lopez, CIAA 2nd VP Maxine Anglin, Sports Councillor David Wight, and Geen Clarke – Organisational Delegate.

Being imported for the games to enhance the visitor experience at the track and field showcase featuring athletes from across the Caribbean is a large video screen to be installed on the northern end of the field (near the University College of the Cayman Islands).

Additionally, a new four-lane warm-up track will be installed near the netball courts. This will be 130m long and include a curve.

The facility is also set to have new fencing and other refurbishments done, including improving the condition of the unpaved parking area near the Dalmain Ebanks Boxing Gym.

President of NACAC, the North American, Central American and Caribbean Athletic Association, Victor Lopez told local media during a visit in October that the work being done would make the Cayman Islands an attractive option as a host country for other major track and field championships.

Design for the new track at Truman Bodden Sports Complex. Relay changeover zones will be highlighted in a light grey, making it easier for athletes and for judges to recognise infractions.

Costs for these works have not yet been clearly identified. However, Sports Minister Juliana O’Connor Connolly said government, having secured title sponsorship for the championships, would provide the necessary funding for the upgrade. She promised to detail the spending at an upcoming press conference, the date of which has not yet been announced.

In October, CARIFTA 2019 LOC co-chair Joel Francis said the estimated cost of hosting the championships featuring athletes from across the Caribbean was $1.4 million, with government contributing $200,000 so far mostly to secure hotel rooms for competing athletes.

CaymanSportsBuzz.com will take a closer look at the preparation for the 2019 Cayman Islands CARIFTA Track and Field Championships in the coming weeks.