– still more funding for $20M facility
By Floyd Christie
The Parade Ground Municipal Basketball Court (Burnham Court) Enhancement Project is scheduled to be completed in five months, providing that the Georgetown Amateur Basketball Association (GABA) acquires the balance of funding for the $20 million project.
GABA President, Trevor Rose, made this disclosure when contacted by Stabroek Sport yesterday via telephone.
Rose revealed that GABA has so far garnered $11 million for use towards completion of the project and is seeking further assistance to meet their five months deadline.
“We are getting good indications and businesses are expressing their interest to sponsor the project,” Rose said when asked if progress was being made towards acquiring the remainder of the funds needed to complete the project.
The installation of six professional grade Metal Halide pole-mounted flood lamps to the existing basketball court on Saturday last, marked the commencement of Phase One of the four-phase project.
According to a statement from the GABA released to Stabroek Sport via e-mail yesterday, GABA has responsibility for the management of the Parade Ground Court and launched the idea of upgrading the facility nearly two years ago when Rose became president of the association.
This project which is considered the brainchild of Rose began to gain some momentum after he received tangible support for the idea from government, municipal and business functionaries.
The supporters aided the project as they felt that the idea to develop the existing facility would benefit youths in and around Georgetown and would have a positive influence on the neighbouring communities while lifting the standard of play countrywide.
The upgrading of the existing basic basketball facility will see the current spectators stand replaced by a multi-function pavilion which will have seating accommodation for over 350 spectators.
Overall the phased development will see improvements over a five-month period with developmental work being done in four phases.
Phase One – Installation of 6 pole-mounted Metal Halide flood lamps, Phase Two – Sand-filling and Landscaping of the area and Revetment of nearby drains, Phase Three entails resurfacing of the existing court and installation of new backboards and nets, while Phase Four is focused on the construction of a new multi-function pavilion.
According to Rose, an artist’s impression of the new facility, which was designed by Marlon Williams of Masters Designing has been prepared, but adjustments to the pavilion’s roofing pattern on the design has to be made and these finishing touches are currently being finalised.
GABA expects that the completion of the project will lead to more youth involvement in the game through coaching, practice and competitions at the new GABA facility.