Senator Powell gives support to the proposed Athletic Stadium

By T. J. Chapman 

SKN PULSE,  Monday  5, December 2016 – Opposition Senator and member of the Nevis Reformation Party,  Hon. Carlisle Powell in his budget response on Thursday examined the allocations for sports and spoke specifically to the proposed Nevis Athletic Stadium. 

The opposition member asked:”Will international athletes come to train on a track built in four months?  Will the IAAF certify a track in four months?”

Mr. Powell in his presentation said that “if the land has just been cleared and the surveys just been done,  then we are not magic people in Nevis”, the MP is skeptical about the time giving to complete Phase 1.  He further lamented that he would like to see them complete the 400m track with enough of the facilities to facilitate the hosting of the games and make it a first class facility. 

Powell said “Build it, Test it, including all the wind checks over an extended period of time to know what is the legal limit.” He also encouraged the government to find out whether or not the records ran at that international track are legal. 

Powell stated,”I will support it.” 

“Are we really to have this facility completed in four months? “, Powell asked.  If so,” all kudos to you”, Powell emphasized that he lived close and once he finds-out the location, he will go, not to obstruct but to support the development. 

Phase one of the project is set to be completed by April of 2017 for the hosting of the 25th Anniversary of the Gulf Insurance sponsored Interprimary School Championships. The  project is estimated to cost of EC$10. 1 million.  

While the Senator supports the project he said “this is something we are not building for 2017 alone but rather  we are building it for the future.”  Powell added, “we can’t afford to do it twice; we are going to have to do it and do it well.” 

According to Powell, this government is dressing it up like it dresses up everything else; like they are dressing it for a Christmas tree lighting ceremony. Powell remarked,  “they are going to get it done in four months and our children will get to participate in 2017 at long point at the Mark Brantley Stadium on a brand new 400m track,  9 lengths.”  

Senator Powell said “I will be there for the opening ceremony.”