Adrian Frater, News Editor
Western Bureau

Since the town-hall meeting in Falmouth on Wednesday, June 10, when the University of Technology (UTech) made its case to acquire the Trelawny Multi-Purpose Stadium, nothing more has be heard about its ambitious plans to lease the US$30m facility for its proposed western campus.

For some people, the silence is becoming somewhat eerie, especially those who are not supportive of the UTech initiative. In fact, there seems to be a feeling in some quarters that instead of more consultation, there might just be an announcement that the Government has approved the UTech lease.

I was at the town-hall meeting in Falmouth and, to be honest, I believe that UTech made a pretty impressive case as to how they would ensure that the stadium benefits all and sundry. However, based on the many broken promises I have seen in my time, I believe a proper evaluation of the UTech plan should be done before it is embraced.

awesome potential

In fact, I believe the stadium should be advertised and other offers considered before any decision is taken. I believe the stadium has awesome potential and, to me, accepting the UTech proposal without examining other possible options would be a case of the Government taking the lazy way out.

Frankly, I am finding it extremely difficult to treat with any seriousness the rubbish views being advanced by some persons that, unless UTech is allowed to lease the stadium, it is going to become a white elephant. That is the kind of nonsense I am sure is irritating some of those who want the stadium to remain solely a sporting venue.

As far as I am concerned, the fact that the stadium has been relatively idle since it hosted the opening ceremony for the 2007 ICC Cricket World Cup, has nothing to do with its inability to attract high-quality events. The real truth is that no effort has been made to market the stadium, either locally or internationally, and as a consequence, its true potential is basically unknown.

What I find particularly disturbing is the fact that the same people who were predicting that the stadium would become a white elephant even before it was built, are not only conspiring to starve it of activities, but are also the most strident voices pushing the UTech proposal.

There are many persons in this country who did not want to see a stadium in Trelawny, so much so, that former Prime Minister PJ Patterson had to really put his foot down for the plans to go through.

Part of their fear, especially those who believe Jamaica stops at Spanish Town, is that the west might start to get some of the major sporting events now shared between the National Stadium and Sabina Park.

sports tourism

With Trelawny poised to become Jamaica's next major population centre, based on the multibillion-dollar development plans in the pipeline for the Falmouth area, coupled with Government's plans to push sports tourism, only a person lacking in real vision would not realise that Trelawny really needs a world-class sporting facility like the Trelawny Stadium.

I am not against education and I am happy that UTech wants to come to the west. However, like North Trelawny Member of Parliament Dr Patrick Harris and noted cricket umpire Cecil Fletcher, I believe they should seek to acquire land elsewhere to build their campus. In fact, they too could become a client of the stadium whenever they have a need for a sporting facility.

Instead of just handing over the stadium to UTech, I believe Government should be exploring the possibility of expanding the stadium into a world-class games village, to include a football stadium, complete with a running track and cycle track, an indoor centre like the national arena, an Olympic-size swimming pool, courts for basketball and netball and living quarters to accommodate athletes.

With a world-class sports village in the heart of the tourism belt, Jamaica would be in a position to offer sporting teams from across the world a fabulous facility for pre-season training and other camps. That would be an avenue through which the stadium could maximise it full earning potential.

Feel free to send your feedback to adrianfrater@hotmail.com.