THE laying of a synthetic track Ida in Guyana, is a historic moment said Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony, during a site visit at the Cornelia Ida track and field facility yesterday.

The minister, accompanied by his Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Alfred King, and Deputy Permanent Secretary, Steve Ninvalle, made a site visit at the facility to get a first hand look at the progress that has been made.
According to Dr. Anthony, the unpredictable weather pattern has caused some delay, since the surface has to be properly dried before the synthetic material can be laid.
The Minister said work started last week but there were a few interruptions, hence the delay in getting more square metres completed.
He, however, said he is very pleased with the progress made so far and once the public see the track for themselves, they will know we’re getting somewhere. “We want to make this site open,” Dr. Anthony remarked. He added, “The challenge is, this is the first time we are doing something like this. We don’t have people with the know-how, so this is an historic first time we are laying a synthetic track in Guyana.”
Asked who will do maintenance work after the track is laid and the facility is open, Dr. Anthony informed that locals will be hired and trained by the German Company BSW Regupol Tracks: “We have a relationship with Regupol and they will train the locals.”
BSW Regupol Tracks representative, Dtetmar Jakel, took a break from plastering the surface with PU Contact Kontakt Sports Surface adhesive to talk to members of the media.
He informed that already 3500 square metres of synthetic material has been laid and within another two days the entire surface will be completed.
He gave this assurance providing there is no more rain over the next two days.
He explained that once it rains, work will have to be halted until the surface has dried out properly.
He further explained that after laying the rubberized surface, a layer of rubber sealer will then be applied on top then a three-millimetre surface leveling granualin will be applied.
Jakel said the system his company is using here in Guyana, is the same they used in Jamaica and Barbados and their work is IAAF approved.
Meanwhile, work is going apace with the construction of the VIP Stand as well as the Club House.

(By Michael DaSilva)