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PM Drew and Minister Duggins Tour Near-Completed Conaree Football Stadium Amid Concerns Over Neglected Kim Collins Stadium

Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew and Minister of Sports Samal Duggins recently visited the construction site of the Conaree Football Stadium, which is now nearing completion. The stadium, located in the Prime Minister’s constituency, has progressed significantly under the current administration and is poised to become a state-of-the-art facility for football in St. Kitts and Nevis.

Minister Duggins expressed his excitement about the project, taking to social media to share updates. “Yesterday, I had the privilege of walking through the Conaree Football Stadium with the Hon. Prime Minister. I am beyond pleased to announce that this project is no longer ‘coming soon’ but rather ‘on the way!’”

He further emphasized the government’s commitment to delivering results and highlighted the stadium as a symbol of progress and community empowerment.

Concerns Over the Kim Collins Stadium

While the developments at the Conaree Football Stadium have been celebrated, citizens are voicing growing concerns about the state of the Kim Collins National Athletic Stadium. Once a hub for track and field events, the stadium has fallen into disrepair and remains closed, with no visible signs of renovation or construction activity. The removal of its Mondo surface track has left athletes and fans alike questioning the government’s commitment to revitalizing the national athletics facility.

Earlier this year, the poor condition of the Kim Collins Stadium forced the marquee interschool athletics meet to be relocated to Nevis, a move that highlighted the facility’s unfit state for hosting even basic events. Track and field enthusiasts have expressed frustration at the lack of updates or timelines for renovations, which were promised but remain unfulfilled under Minister Duggins’ watch.

Public Reactions and Unanswered Questions

The contrast between the near-complete Conaree Football Stadium and the neglected Kim Collins Stadium has sparked debates about prioritization within the Ministry of Sports. Citizens have pointed out the importance of the Kim Collins Stadium not only for national athletics but also as a critical training ground for local athletes aspiring to compete on the regional and global stage.

Minister Duggins, while vocal about the progress at Conaree, has been notably silent on the status of the Kim Collins Stadium. This lack of communication has fueled public dissatisfaction, with many questioning the government’s broader strategy for sports infrastructure development.

A Tale of Two Facilities

The disparity between the two facilities underscores a broader issue of equitable sports development in St. Kitts and Nevis. While the completion of the Conaree Football Stadium is a commendable step forward, the ongoing neglect of the Kim Collins Stadium remains a blemish on the government’s record in sports infrastructure.

As the nation eagerly awaits the unveiling of the Conaree facility, calls for urgent action on the Kim Collins Stadium grow louder. Athletes, coaches, and sports enthusiasts hope that their voices will be heard, and that promises for a revitalized Kim Collins Stadium will soon become a reality.