Just eight days before the official tip-off of one of the biggest regional basketball tournaments, set to be held in The Bahamas, the main venue for play is still not ready.
Work on the floor and roof of the Kendal G.L. Isaacs National Gymnasium has yet to start, causing concern for executives in the Bahamas Basketball Federation (BBF), especially since teams will be arriving from Wednesday of next week. The 21st Caribbean Basketball Confederation (CBC) Championships will get underway July 23 and will run through July 28.

BBF President Lawrence Hepburn is concerned about the late start and the fact that other activities are scheduled over the weekend at the national gym. "First of all we must get this gym repaired," said Hepburn. "A lot of work needs to be done in the gym. There is a list of things and work that needs to be done. We gave it to the ministry and they said they will accomplish it, but it is a very large task. They said they can get it done within that time but I know that is pushing it.

"The challenge of waiting for the last minute I think it is going to create a problem and we do not need that. We need the cooperation from the other sports and activities that is scheduled around this time. You are talking about setting up the gym, but with events ongoing in the gym such as 'Peace on Da Streets' and other events that's a challenge. The ministry said that they can make it happen, but I am not sure because the time frame in between the cleaning up and the commencement of the games is tight. The work is going to be strenuous. We have a number of things to do before hand. There is a tremendous amount of cleaning that needs to be done."

Repairs to the floor can take anywhere up to three days, that is to ensure that all the boards are set in place properly. The damaged roof sits high on the to-do list handed in by the federation. According to Hepburn, certain parts of the roof leaks water during rain, something that cannot happen during the two weeks of play. The federation head is concerned about the safety of the players and making a lasting impression on the visitors.

Hepburn said that keeping the gym clean is a major concern, especially if it's open to the general public for use.  He said: "How do you clean the gym during the course of the day after tomorrow when there are activities going on in the gym. The cleaning must be done, some late at night in order to keep it clean. I thought that they would have locked the gym down. These are the physical challenges that lie ahead.

"We have a new floor that they are going to put down for us. We need to know the perimeters of that floor, that poses a challenge because if the edges are not tapered off, they can create problems for players. We need to taper them off or have barriers to prevent players from going over the edges. These things we need to know or see ahead of play so we can organize it properly.

"While the floor may take only a couple hours, it is the surrounding areas that need work to make sure that the players are protected. There is major concern to the entrance to the gym, the lights, ceiling and the roof because there is major leaking which calls for extensive repairs. The painting, ensuring that the gym has the ambiance to welcome the guests, all of that has us worried."

The D.W. Davis Gymnasium will be used for practice sessions. Repairs and cleaning up of that facility has already started and it will be ready for play.  Repairing the national gym is not the only problem the federation faces. The other challenge the BBF is faced with is finance. Hepburn explained that they have yet to receive the grant from the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture and other funds which are earmarked to go toward guests accommodation and other expenses.

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