Government is spending just under $5 million to transform the Oistins Bay Garden for the Men’s T20 World Cup, the Chairman of the National Organising Committee Ambassador Noel Lynch has revealed.
A commitment has also been made to ensure small business owners benefit from the upcoming global event, he said on Wednesday during a press conference at the iconic food and entertainment hub in Christ Church.
Ambassador Lynch said the $4.7 million being spent to upgrade Oistins is part of an overall programme to ensure many small businesses profited from the event.
According to him, Barbados stands to earn about $110 million from the June 1-29 sporting event. But noting that many Barbadians were not totally satisfied that they got optimum benefit out of the 2007 and 2010 World Cup, either as an immediate benefit or as a legacy benefit, he said “two things must happen in this World Cup that must be sensible”.
“Barbadians from all walks of life must believe that they are integrally involved in the process, particularly when it comes to small business development. We’ve met with the Ministry of Small Business, we’ve met with Fund Access and Trust Loan [Barbados]. What we are trying to do is find as many ways as possible to engage smaller entrepreneurs, smaller developers in the World Cup,” Ambassador Lynch said, adding that the refurbishment was also for locals to enjoy as the World Cup would only be for a specific period.
“Cricket has been good to us both at the social and economic levels . . . . During the 2007 World Cup and afterwards, the best years we’ve ever had economically in Barbados were 2007, 2008 and 2009. You could check the records for yourself . . . . Therefore, whenever there’s a global event and when you shine a light on Barbados for a global event, you get some form of economic uplift.”
Rey Moe, a consultant with the Barbados Tourism Investment Inc., said the refurbishment at Oistins covers the existing kiosks and bathrooms, replacing deteriorated elements, power washing surfaces, painting, improving the stage area, erecting large television screens and constructing a new gazebo and more bathrooms. More than 100 people have gained employment from this project, he added.
Oistins Bay Garden’s president Kemar Harris said the renovations would not significantly disrupt businesses operating there, as he outlined the opening hours until the end of May when the work is expected to be completed.
To facilitate power washing, the Bay Garden was closed at 9:45 on Wednesday night. From Monday to Thursday, all stalls are to be closed by 11 p.m.; the popular Friday night activity will close off at 2 a.m. and on Saturdays and Sundays, the shut-off time will be midnight.
Vendors who serve breakfast and lunches will still be allowed to do so throughout the day.
Harris explained that workmen will engage in refurbishing activities from the shut-off times straight through to the morning when the area is least active.
He met with the vendors to discuss the plan of action going forward. Vendors were able to discuss their concerns. Next door at Berinda Cox Fish Market, vendors and staff were also informed about the plans.
Oistins, Pelican Village and Haymans Market have been designated as the tournament’s three official fan zones where visitors and locals can mingle and watch the matches.
Ambassador Lynch encouraged bar owners and other entrepreneurs to set up similar watch parties. But he warned that it would be illegal to charge patrons for watching the matches they could easily access on a sports channel. He explained that they could sell food and drinks but could not charge a screening fee.
Barbadians have also answered the call to give of their time, and 500 volunteers have pitched in to help facilitate matches at the 18 000-seat Kensington Oval, he said.
As of Wednesday, about 3 000 Barbadians had bought tickets online to see the Oval games, Lynch also disclosed.
(SZB)
