Sporting associations that are accustomed to using the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex may have to start looking for different venues to host their games, when the facility fees from the National Sports Authority (NSA) are handed down. So far, prices for six sporting facilities within the Queen Elizabeth Sports Centre are on the list that can be obtained at the NSA's office. Only national teams will be exempted from paying the facility usage fees, while all others will be charged. Fees will be charged to associations that fall under federations, educational institutions and persons wishing to use the fields for charity events, fundraising events and business ventures. All prices are quoted on a daily rate.
However, it is unclear if the New Providence Softball Association (NPSA) will have to pay the daily fee of $200. If they are charged, a monthly total of $2,400 would be given to the NSA. The NPSA will be looking at an overall total of $16,800 for its season which runs from April to October. There were seven female teams and six men's squads in the 2012 season. President Godfrey Burnside revealed that the entrance fee for each team was $1,000, so they received a total of $13,000. Some of the money was used to upgrade and beautify the park, as well as buy equipment. He isn't sure how many teams will participate in the 2013 season, and if an increase in entrance fees will be applied.
"I haven't received any information from anyone and right now that is my greatest problem - the fact that I don't know the cost as yet," said Burnside. "It is important for me to know because my members need to understand and appreciate that there may be some fees this year. When we meet with the teams, we will need to deal with this issue. If the prices you have told me are correct, I don't think it is fair. I don't have a problem with the implementation of some taxation to use the park, but that is too hefty as far as I am concerned. "I think if you charge me $500 per year, that will be more attractive than just trying to kill me as an association.
Yes, we had a successful year last year, but what if we don't have one this year. Some things should depend on the success of the league. The average cost per team is $1,000, but we have to buy balls. Before the season starts, I have to get a new mound, a first base and still make minor adjustments to the park like the fencing and so forth. Maybe we will have to stop and pause for a moment before we even start moving forward with the adjustments." Burnside said he is willing to negotiate with the executives of the NSA, in hopes of receiving a lower rate. Chairman of the NSA Leroy Archer told The Nassau Guardian that only three of the facilities that appear on the list are being charged at this time.
Those three venues are the Kendal G.L. Isaacs National Gymnasium, the Thomas A. Robinson stadiums and the Betty Kelly-Kenning National Swim Complex. Archer also revealed that he hasn't had the opportunity to meet with the softball federation, and is willing to do so in short order to negotiate properly. Educational institutions planning on using any of the softball fields in the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex will also be charged $200 per day. A price of $1,500 per day is quoted for persons wishing to use the venue for charitable Tevents and fundraisers. The daily rate for business ventures is $5,000. Burnside said: "There has to be some means for persons to have some kind of recreation. Does this mean you are going to just cut sports out if they cannot pay? If you can't pay for it how are you going to go there? I would really like to know what comes along with these fees." The other sporting venues listed are the soccer pitch and the national fair grounds. Both have a daily rate of $200.
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