Cutting The Ribbon At The Challengers Upgrade
Photo By Erasmus Williams
Basseterre, St. Kitts – Nevis
December 10, 2008 (SKNIS)
Residents of Challengers and surrounding communities have thanked the Government for the fulfilling its promise to continue investing in the socio-economic development of the people.
This was stressed during a ceremony marking the official opening of the newly refurbished Challengers Sporting Complex on the weekend. The upgrade saw the construction of a change room with bathroom facilities, a commentator’s booth with an external scoring clock, and an office, as well as a meeting, and storage room. The inclusion of bleachers and a bar was also for the comfort of spectators.
“The community of Challengers “¦ is again celebrating yet another improvement to the sporting and recreational facilities here at this ideal location,” said community stalwart Wilfred Welsh. “It is therefore with a feeling of pride and joy that I attend this function.”
Prime Minister and Minister of Sports Honourable Dr. Denzil Douglas agreed with Mr. Welsh, stating that “it was a good day for the people of Challengers “¦ and the development of sports in general.”
The Prime Minister highlighted that a number of sporting developments including the refurbishment of the Warner Park Stadium, construction of the Silver Jubilee Athletic Stadium and the upgrade of several community sporting facilities in recent years, are a significant part of his administration’s legacy.
“When you look at your television sets, you’d realize that the world is fast changing because of the shortage of money to invest in “¦ development projects in the United States, in Europe, in Canada [and] in Asia,” he noted. “Despite the global economic and financial situation “¦ we continue to focus our scarce development dollars on the advancement and the development of our people, especially our young people in the area of sports.”
Noting that “a million reasons” could be used to shelve the sport-related capital projects planned for 2009, the St. Kitts and Nevis leader stressed that “the government continues to be focused and committed” to the infrastructure enhancement plans as it will help to promote a healthy and productive population as well as increase the visibility of the island in the international arena. The Prime Minister added that the sports-tourism sub-sector will also benefit tremendously from the enhanced facilities.
Prime Minister Douglas expressed deepest appreciation to the Republic of China (Taiwan) for its contribution to the Challengers Sporting Complex and the role it continues to play in transforming the social and economic landscape of the twin-island Federation.