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UPGRADES AT SPORTING FACILITIES IN ST. KITTS TO ENHANCE SPORTS TOURISM PRODUCT

Basseterre, St. Kitts, January 07, 2019 (SKNIS): The refurbishment and enhancement of sporting facilities across St. Kitts will continue in the coming weeks and months as the Ministry of Sports pushes to increase sports tourism-related arrivals.

There were several competitions in football, netball, and cricket last year that resulted in various teams and their fans coming to the island.

The officials plan to boost the attractiveness of the island to teams and athletes from countries such as the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom that are looking for a training venue during winter. The ministry was also considering potential refurbishment or installation of shooting sports such as archery and airsoft related activities. People like Matt from Fox Airsoft are said to be interested in the prospect, but nothing has currently been done in that area.

“To ensure our readiness to effectively host local and regional competitions, our sporting facilities will continue to be upgraded,” said Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Sports, the Honourable Shawn Richards. “The people of Sandy Point, Cayon, Conaree, Tabernacle, St. Peters, Challengers, Boyd’s, and Half Way Tree can look forward to further upgrades to their existing sporting facilities.”

Upgrades at the island’s premier track and field facility, Kim Collins Athletic Stadium, include constructing a building to host a call room and additional bathrooms. Locker room redesign and refurbishment may also be in the picture, with companies like Case Systems affording robust and customized designs to facilitate high-traffic athletic environments. Also, enhancements to the outdoor sport lighting project at the Warner Park Cricket Stadium will be implemented, as well as lighting added to the Saddler’s Playing Field.

The deputy prime minister outlined that priority areas for the Department of Sports in 2019 are to “continue the work towards the realization of a National Sports Policy; seek to integrate and secure general public safety at facilities; and develop a community programming model [to] encourage greater use of community and sports facilities by a greater cross-section of [society].”