By Tamica Garnett
AS anticipation of a synthetic track finally being laid in Linden continues to prevail, Director of Sport, Christopher Jones, confirmed that such a facility cannot be accommodated at the Mackenzie Sports Club (MSC) Ground, where many had hoped it would be.However,other locations are already being mulled over.Speaking with Chronicle Sport, Jones agreed that the MSC facility, which currently houses a 300m grass track, will not do for the laying down of a synthetic track,which is 400m. Thoughts were given to expanding the dimensions of the MSC boundaries.However, this was cast aside when it was realised that all lands surrounding the MSC facility were occupied.
“We’re still exploring the option of putting a synthetic track in Linden, but it will not be at the MSC, because it doesn’t have the space. We had a site visit there a few months ago
.We were actually looking at a fence, I think it’s the Northern fence, and it was advised that there is land space beyond that.So the idea actually was to remove that fence and utilise the space behind. However, I found out that [the land] it apparently has something to do with a school, so that was not feasible. “ Jones explained.
Nonetheless, Jones noted that this has in no way deterred(them) from moving ahead with the project, which he described as a venture that is “close to his heart”.
“We’re still on the move to get a synthetic track in Linden.It’s not going to be that easy but we’re working on it, because Linden has the potential, Linden has the athletes, Linden is pregnant with athletes, so we want to provide them with that, so we’re working on it.”
In terms of alternative arrangements, Jones said that a parcel of land that had been earmarked for one of the Guyana Football Federation’s (GFF) Goal Projects, showed the capacity to accommodate both the Goal Project and a synthetic track facility.
“Apparently this is a vast land space. Through my intervention when Clinton Urling was President of GFF, I got government to essentially sign over the land, because the land was essentially under NICIL.So I had to get Minister [Joseph] Harmon to commit the land to the RDC.That done, this was in preparation for the GFF and their goal project; and apparently there is adequate space for both football and the synthetic track facilities.” Jones opined.
But on the question of how soon Lindeners will be able to see the realization of this facility, Jones noted that it will be an uphill battle, as funding will be a challenge. None-the-less, he disclosed that in the interim he has been engaging in consultations on how to proceed, whenever that time comes.
“I’ve already requested from the budget $440 million for the upgrade at the National Gymnasium, so for me to get an additional $400 million, it’s not going to be that easy, but we’re working on it. Matter of fact I’ve already started speaking with overseas governments since last year.” Jones said.
Thus far, Guyana has only one synthetic track facility: the National Track and Field Centre,which is in Leonora on the West Coast of Demerara.This facility cost $1.084 billion and it was officially opened last year April.
When the track’s location was first unveiled,many stakeholders were not too pleased,and questioned the rationale behind putting the track in an area hardly known as an attraction point for athletics enthusiasts. The government-funded initiative was spearheaded by then Minister of Sports, Dr. Frank Anthony.