New sports training facilities and the five stadia being constructed across the country, are being built to be climate-resilient to ensure year-round access to cricketers, said Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jr.
In his remarks at the recent opening of the Shivnarine Chanderpaul Training Facility at Everest, the minister said, “Guyana struggles a lot because we have extended rainy seasons.” He emphasised that advancing climate-resilient training facilities of similar nature, is the way to advance Guyana’s sporting capabilities.
The minister disclosed that a similar project that is being undertaken at the National Stadium is expected to be completed within the next two months – once final touches are completed.
“We’re now completing the construction of a very large facility that will allow us to train 365 days a year. Rain, sunshine doesn’t matter,” Minister Ramson said.
He highlighted that the key difference in this type of facility is the use of fully translucent roofs, specialised clay and concrete wickets. “This will be catering for more of the elite players, ones that make it to the counties, the national teams, the contract players, etcetera. They will be able to use that every single day of the week and never have to worry about rain,” Ramson Jr. added.
Regarding the stadia that are being built in Linden (Region 10), Berbice (Region Six), Essequibo (Region Two), and Leonora (Region Three), the minister revealed that they are being designed with fast-drying grounds.
“Those grounds are as fast drying, or even faster drying, than the National Stadium, which means that for all of the grounds that we have for the stadia, rain will never affect the usage of those facilities, and that is extremely important for the development of cricket in the country,” the minister assured.
He also mentioned that international-standard stadium lights were installed at the completed grounds.
Additionally, the minister pointed out that in the last four years, the Government of Guyana (GoG) has invested in the development of 400 community grounds, including the one at Everest. He highlighted the significance of these community spaces in providing a safe environment for youth to engage in sports, and leisure activities.
