Reopened! Athletes waiting to compete at Saturday’s developmental series

Last week the Government had announced the closure of the facility, and through the Premier’s Office and the Department of Education and Culture, talks were initiated with the BVI Olympic Committee, BVI Amateur Athletics Association, BVI Football Association, BVI Rugby Association, the Department of Youth Affairs and Sports, Elmore Stoutt High School , and local coaches.

President of the BVIOC, Rey O’Neal told the StandPoint that there were concerns that unsupervised usage of the facility would have hindered ongoing works.

However, he noted that the new measures are temporarily designed to maximise the use of the current facility, until it is officially commissioned.

“The essence of the problem there are still ongoing work and it would be difficult to work with people moving back and forth. The track should not be overused before the competitive season commences and we stressed the point that there need to have toilet facilities and garbage disposals,” O’Neal stated.

He also alluded to concerns of mis-management by persons who would have accessed the track.

“What may have created a bit of issue is the fact that when the announcement was made that the track was now ready of use, people were not sure what to make of it. The public might have the feeling that people were coming here abusing the facility, but I am not sure we had reached that point,” O’Neal stated.

The BVIOC head also gave the nod in support of a management team to oversee the facility in the future.

“I think we are underway to better usage, but there is going to have  to be a management structure whether it will be one separate for this facility or the one that will govern this facility and the multi-purpose sports complex,” O’Neal pointed out.

In a press statement, Permanent Secretary in the Premier’s Office, Rosalie Adams said that the public will be able to use lanes seven and eight for training, jogging or walking between the hours of 5:00 a.m. and 7:30 a.m., as well as from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. daily. Athletes will also be allowed to train in lanes three and seven between the hours of 5:00 and 7:30 a.m., and again from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m., Adams stated.

The Permanent Secretary said that the grounds will be closed between 7:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. to enable construction works to continue.

However, she noted, lanes three to seven can be made available during those times to schools and the community, by appointment, for sporting events and training.

“Government spent an enormous amount of money to construct this facility for the people of the Territory. We must therefore make certain that our investment is protected, while ensuring the public can enjoy the complete benefits that come from having this excellent facility,” said the Permanent Secretary, in an interview with the Department of Information and Public Relations.

When the new eight-lane rubberised track is completed, Government will seek class-two certification from the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF).

Class-two certification will enable the Territory to host IAAF-sanctioned invitational athletic meets. The Premier’s Office is supervising ongoing work on this project.

New guidelines for running surface

Suitable running or walking shoes must always be worn.

Spikes cannot be longer than 6 millimetres, and should be either “Pyramid” or “Christmas Tree” designs.

No pin spikes, needle spikes, football, and soccer-type footwear are allowed.

Trainers must ensure that all children leaving the long jump pit, walk off excess sand on the infield grass.

Children must always be seated in the stands when they are not training.

No loitering is allowed.

The grounds must only be used for training, jogging, or walking.

Do not carry food, drink, chewing gum and bubble gum on the running surface.

Do not drive or ride vehicles, bicycles, and pocket bikes on the running surface.

When it is necessary to place heavy objects on the running surface, the surface should be protected with skid rails, boards, or plywood.

All equipment going onto the running surface must be in good working condition to avoid oil or gas spillage.

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