When New Orleans Pelicans first-year guard Chavano "Buddy" Hield held a camp recently in New Providence, those in attendance experienced an enhanced facility, refurbished in state-of-the-art fashion.
Recently, Acting National Sports Authority (NSA) Chairman Lynden Maycock expressed satisfaction when he showed off the facelift at the facility constructed two decades ago. Flooring, seating and quality acoustics are new dimensions. The upgrade indicates a renewed joint objective of the NSA and the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, the government entity that has overall jurisdiction over national sports facilities.
The sports minister, according to the act that governs the NSA, is the bottom line authority. Accordingly, the excellent work done with the Kendal Isaacs Gym, and previously, the Betty Kelly-Kenning National Swim Complex, got the full endorsement of present Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Dr. Daniel Johnson.
The decision to renovate the Kelly-Kenning swim complex and the Isaacs gym is to be applauded. The initiative is in keeping with the mandate to expand and embellish the Queen Elizabeth Sports Centre (QESC).
In both cases, the facilities had become outdated and sub-standard. The swim complex is now of full international certification status. The Isaacs gym, though small, can better accommodate the top collegiate teams in the United States, the ones that represent major universities during the Bahamas Basketball Federation's (BBF) Summer of Thunder annual tournament.
The Isaacs gym in particular, had become quite appalling. The sound system was terrible and diminished many events, basketball, gymnastics, boxing and shows. The country is definitely still in need of a major arena that can accommodate around 15,000 patrons, something that would be suitable for the larger National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) competitions such as the Battle 4 Atlantis.
The NSA now can place a stronger focus on marketing the venues to universities for training. The swim complex has long been a facility used by collegiate squads during the winner months, particularly those in the high-snow areas. The marketing of sporting facilities is a way to assist in covering the vast costs of maintenance. A strong marketing program would provide appreciable funding for the NSA, to supplement the grants provided annually by the Government of The Bahamas.
Maycock, who succeeds Leroy Archer Jr., appears enthused and energized. He seems a good fit and capable of following in the footsteps of Archer Jr. In the past, the relationship between NSA and Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture officials was not always cozy.
Hopefully the refurbishing program actually indicates a togetherness that will go a long way toward ensuring an overall upscale look at the QESC. The massive work plan for the QESC, when concluded, will mean The Bahamas will own a high quality sports village, one of the finest in the Caribbean and Central American region.
Fred Sturrup
(To respond to this column, kindly contact Fred Sturrup at sturrup1504@gmail.com)
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