By Bebi Shafeah Oosman

MINISTER of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson, has confirmed that works on the New Amsterdam Synthetic Track are in their final stages, with the facility expected to be completed within approximately one month.
Ramson said the project is in keeping with the government’s promise to expand and modernise sporting infrastructure across the country, particularly its promise to deliver five stadiums in different regions.
He noted that they would have already commissioned two of the facilities, including those at Bayroc in Linden and Anna Regina, while works in New Amsterdam have now reached the critical stage of installing the synthetic surface.
“We have opened Bayroc in Linden and one in Anna Regina, and we are here in New Amsterdam so we are at the final stage laying the installation of the synthetic material,” Ramson said.
The minister, who visited the facility on Saturday to inspect the ongoing works, said favourable weather conditions have allowed contractors to advance the installation of the synthetic material.
“We have been blessed, I don’t think the farmers are too happy about it, but this is government weather for the installation of synthetic material, so in a month’s time you will see all of the synthetic material completed, the lines go on…,” he said.
Once the surface and markings are completed, Ramson said that the track will undergo the necessary certification process to ensure that it meets international standards with the hope to open in October.
This will position the facility to accommodate higher-level athletics competitions while providing athletes in Region Six with access to improved training facilities.
“So that is for the track itself, and so we just completed the installation of these bucket seats as-well – 2,000 bucket seats retractable bucket seats, so significantly enhancing user friendliness, seating capacity and spectator capacity, so we are doing this here and we are doing this in Bayroc currently,” Ramson said.
The installation of the approximately 2,000 retractable bucket seats represent another major component of the project and is expected to significantly improve the experience for spectators attending sporting events at the facility.
Ramson said works are also continuing on other supporting infrastructure necessary for the overall completion of the facility. These include drainage improvements, washroom facilities and ramps to improve accessibility.
He described these as the remaining “small things so as to ensure it is appropriately completed.”
With the synthetic surface now being installed and other finishing works progressing, the New Amsterdam facility is moving closer to becoming a fully completed modern sporting venue.
The investment is expected to significantly strengthen the sporting infrastructure available to athletes and residents of Region Six, providing a dedicated facility for athletics while creating greater opportunities for the hosting of competitions and sporting events.