Concern over alleged circus move to Garrison

The suggestion to possibly relocate the Suarez Brothers Circus to the Garrison Savannah has been met with harsh criticism from horse racing fans and members of the rugby community.

After a number of delays, the Mexico-based circus was initially set up in the Belle, at the Norman Niles Roundabout on the ABC Highway. But after one show, health authorities ordered the circus shut down owing to public health issues.

News then emerged that the Garrison Savannah was being considered as an alternative venue for the circus which, according to correspondence seen by Barbados TODAY, could lead to the cancellation of the upcoming scheduled race days on August 22 and September 5.

When contacted by Barbados TODAY on Friday, Chief Executive Officer of the Barbados Turf Club Rosette Pearce said she was not in a position to confirm what the final decision would be.

While race authorities remain uncertain, race fans have slammed the decision as incomprehensible.

“The Garrison Savannah put up lights which have subsurface cables which could be damaged during the erection and transportation of the tents and circus materials,” said one fan. “So that’s a big no no.”

Another racing pundit feared potential significant damage to the race track and infield He added: “The various benches and material the circus will need, will likely have to traverse an area of the track that is known as the jump. It’s where you actually go over the turf and it can be prone to flooding.

“Unfortunately, looking at where they (the circus) would ideally like to be set up, it would encroach on the area where the Barbados Rugby Football Union has recently upgraded the playing surface with irrigation and lighting.”

Racing pundit and journalist Martin Parris suggested other areas of the island could also have been utilised: “Why didn’t they think of Weymouth, Weymouth “B” or Queen’s Park? Agrofest sets up there with minimal damage or issues and there is parking over by the Queen Elizabeth Hospital pasture.”

Rugby fans were even more blunt, with one describing the possibility of staging the circus at the Garrison Savannah as a “dumb idea”.

One said: “The Barbados Rugby authorities invested a lot of time, energy, and money in revamping the rugby pitch.

“Even during the Gold Cup and other non-rugby related events, they have to put a barrier around the pitch because people will just come and drive onto it. Putting a circus down there is not practical.”

The rugby fan said there were other concerns besides possible damage to the playing surface and infrastructure.

“I’m not sure how big it is because I only saw it when it was set up at the Belle, but can you imagine the traffic jam? We already know what traffic can be like when you have a race day.

“Imagine now many times that number of people coming to watch the circus, and don’t get me wrong, I love a circus, but find someplace else.”

(KH)