This afternoon at 4 p.m., a grand opening ceremony is scheduled for the Carmichael Community and Athletics Center at the Flamingo Gardens Park.
The multi-purpose complex now houses the headquarters of the Bahamas Boxing Commission and a training area (gym) for amateur and professional boxers. Inclusive also is a field to accommodate softball and baseball; a court for basketball and volleyball and a newly refurbished double tennis court.
The facility is yet another aspect of the new sports culture in the country. What the Flamingo Gardens Sports Center does, especially, is provide an appropriate training and recreation facility for a number of sporting disciplines in the western section of the island.
Much of the quality government-owned facilities are to be found in the Queen Elizabeth Sports Centre. Now, federations and sports agencies that drive the national development process and individuals with sporting interests who reside in the area, have a quality option.
It is the expressed wish of Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Dr. Daniel Johnson that as many facilities as possible be made available for the various sporting communities throughout the archipelago. This is a concept that is quite healthy for the expanding Bahamian sports industry.
Almost missing in this newly developed picture is the historic aspect of the Bahamas Boxing Commission being afforded its first official office base. For years, secretaries have had to juggle loads of filing items in personal holding areas and anchor the communication link of the commission privately.
A base is a necessary provision for the commission. Pretty soon, a massive registration of all within the professional boxing community - boxers, managers, trainers, promoters, corner men, referees, judges, matchmakers, agents etc. - will take place at the Commission Office at Flamingo Gardens Park.
Also, the commission will be better positioned to maintain contact with the various fellow commissions and boxing boards around the world to ensure that Bahamian fighters abroad are able to compete under fair and safe conditions. In the not too distance future, it is planned that the training area (gym) of the center be equipped with heavy bags, speed bags, exercise mats and skipping ropes to be used by boxers or all others from the area and elsewhere who might just wish to train to stay in shape.
Adequate rest rooms are available and security will be in place.
Minister Johnson was enthused when making the announcement of the grand opening.
"We had hoped that this would have happened sooner, but there are economic and other constraints that we have to deal with. The facility is ready now for the grand opening, and it is with pleasure that we provide the center which will help with the national sports development program," said Dr. Johnson.
Several attempts were made before, under different central administrations, to bring the complex on stream with the original plans for multi sporting purposes. It has happened under Dr. Johnson's watch.
It's now up to his ministry to ensure that the complex is well maintained and doesn't fall into disrepair like it did before, the case also for so many other government facilities.
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