PHILIPSBURG--Commissioner of Sports Frans Richardson unveiled the design of a state-of-the-art cricket stadium in the A.C. Wathey Legislative Hall, Government Administration Building, yesterday afternoon.
"I am pleased to share with you the very latest on plans for a brand new cricket stadium. This is the culmination of a long process which included a site visit as far back as October 27 of last year," said the Commissioner in his opening remarks.
The Commissioner told the media at the press conference that the entire eastern side of Pond Island is designated for sport, recreation and education needs, beginning from the University of St. Martin to the softball field.
With head of New Works and Projects Kurt Ruan and PREAM Architect Niek Van Der Ree at his side, the Commissioner unveiled the drawings of the stadium which is to be constructed adjacent to the Little League Stadium on Pond Island. When asked if the land is available or a section of the pond will have to be filled in, the Commissioner responded:
"Well if you look, (Ed: while pointing to the drawing) most of the land already exist there. Yes there will be a part that will be filled to put the roads and a little extension of it but what you see is that most of it is there in the upper level and the back of the Little League Stadium. So most of the land already exists there."
The cricket stadium which is expected to have a capacity of 10.000 is geared towards enhancing sports tourism on the island. Concerning the specific orientation of the cricket field, Commissioner Richardson stated, "we plan on meeting international standards entailing that the pitch must be north to south whereby the direct sun rays are not in the batter's or the bowler's face or eyes. The whole concept is to host international cricket matches and regional tests matches. It is also for sport tourism."
He continued, "as you all may know, I have continued to embark on improving our year round tourism on this island, and I have always said that the next best bet is sports tourism."
Commissioner Richardson noted he has been very active in other sports on the island too. "Today, I stand here proud as Commissioner of Sports because I have been unveiling one project after the other in every sport on this island." He outlined all the projects that his government has released and other projects that will be released with the next to be unveiled as soon as Monday.
Two interesting features of the planned stadium are two large mounds and a large underground area where players can warm up before a match. "This stadium I believe will turn a lot of heads in the Caribbean," the Commissioner opined.
The Commissioner, when asked, was unable to quote the exact amount to build the stadium but stated that the government and the private sector will finance the stadium. His estimate was between US$2.5 million to US$5 million.
Asked if the government was the co-sponsor of this facility, he responded, "well definitely, government will have to work hand-in-hand with the private sector to maintain these facilities."
"Government assisted with the land, we assisted with the drawings but most of the money will come from the private sector," he later added.
The new stadium will be owned and operated by the St. Maarten Cricket Association (SMCA). However, the Commissioner is hoping that the stadium can be used to house American football.
"We have a sister relationship with Tallahassee whereby they are very much interested in using St. Maarten as a home game area. I feel the field is huge enough for us to put on some of those events when there is no cricket," he was quoted as saying.
Secretary of the SMCA Dwayne Elgin described the design of the stadium as "fantastic." He was elated to see the final drawing which he fought over, according to the Commissioner, "tooth and nail with the designers" to see completed. Elgin thanked the government for keeping the promise they made at the final of the tournament last year.
It was the dream of the association to see the stadium drawings become a reality, said President of the SMCA, Michael Teixeira.
The Commissioner of Sports fell short of giving a beginning and finishing date for construction of the stadium but would say that government will have to meet with the SMCA shortly to discuss the way forward.