Govt starts Bushy Park track project

Government has broken ground at Bushy Park, St Philip, for the construction of a new 400m track in the east of Barbados.

Minister of Sports and Community Empowerment, Charles Griffith, said, “This is to buttress what has happened at the National Stadium and the Wildey Gymnasium, where new facilities for athletes are being constructed.”

He said government is committed to building out the infrastructure for sports, stressing that this new track in the east, along with another in the north, alongside the one in Wildey that’s nearing completion, and a new National Stadium, will significantly take the pressure off the Usain Bolt Complex in St Michael.

“Here at Bushy Park, we are hoping that full construction work should start in earnest shortly and that this track should come on stream in short order, since this is an attempt to build out infrastructure,” Minister Griffith posited.

He disclosed that about 19 million dollars has already been allocated to the National Sports Council to prepare for the additional 400-metre tracks that are coming on stream. “This money does not include the two Olympic-size swimming pools; it’s strictly for the 400-metre tracks.” 

The sports minister said planning approval has already been given for construction of the new 400-metre track at Bushy Park, and government is awaiting planning permission to construct another 400-metre track in the north at Trents, St James, where land has been identified for such a project.

The overarching goal, the minister said, was to have facilities in place for Barbadian athletes to train at home as it relates to track and field events, because government is committed to building the best for them ahead of the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028 and beyond.

He is also hoping that regional and international teams will seek to utitilise the facilities at a cost, similar to how North American teams do during our off-season.

“There’s still a lot of work to be done to build out facilities for national sporting federations and sportspersons in Barbados,” adding that “homes can’t be provided for all, and some will have to twin at different locations.

“I am pleased that the work is being put in to develop the infrastructure on-island, and it’s hoped that this push will redound to our athletes doing better and reaching the podium. So I am satisfied, but there is still a lot of work to be done,” Minister Griffith added.

He said over the past seven years in government, a lot has been done to build out infrastructure for Barbados’ athletes, and what’s needed now is for the coaching to match the facilities.

“If we have world-class athletes, we must have world-class coaches and officials capable of officiating on the world stage at international events,” Minister Griffith highlighted.

Minister Griffith said government recognises that “people with disabilities need to be part of the set-up,” noting that the National Sports Council has started to retrofit all of its pavilions to ensure people with disabilities are included. He said that when the next Paralympics come around, Barbados will ensure it has athletes participating in these games.

While emphasis is being placed on the 400-metre track, government, according to the minister, will in the future be looking at building a 250-metre international cycling velodrome, a track for BMX, and an Olympic-size swimming pool at the complex in Bushy Park.

He added, “All of the tracks will be done to international specifications, because it makes no sense in 2026 not to put in a track that’s up to international standards, and all will meet this certification.”

According to Griffith the proposed two additional Olympic-size pools will create additional space for more Barbadians to be involved in swimming, whilst creating conditions for swimmers to have additional training for competition.

He said there are more than ten swim clubs in Barbados, and the ability to do quality training is limited because persons are pressed for time in the pool.

The sports minister said that with the additional pools, it should reduce the pressure on the Aquatic Centre at Wildey, along with providing dedicated training for swimmers, as it relates to time in the water and producing better overall results.

Minister Griffith was accompanied at the groundbreaking ceremony in St Philip by Permanent Secretary Joy Adamson, Chairman of the NSC Mac Fingall, Acting Director Emerson Bascombe, architects for the project Henry Taylor Associates, as well as other government officials.(PR)