By Treiston Joseph
Athletes, some of whom will compete on Guyana’s first synthetic track to be erected at Leonora and which is expected to be completed some time next year are happy with the latest development but have some reservations.
The track is an initiative of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport and has a projected cost of $124.9m.
The Class Two, Category 5 track will be similar to the track used for the 2009 Berlin World Championships where Jamaica’s sprint sensation Usain Bolt established new 100 and 200m world records.
Phase one which entails the laying of the foundation is almost completed.
The second phase will be the laying down of the track while the third phase will be the erection of the surrounding stands which will serve as windbreakers for the facility.
According to senior 400 and 800 metres champion, Wayne Harlequin while he is happy that the track is being built he has some reservations.
“Well what I think is that it’s good for us to be getting a track. My only problem is where it is.
I honestly think they should have found a more centralised area where most athletes come f
rom to put the track.
It also is going to cause financial problems for us since we don’t get paid to participate in this sport. What I think the government or AAG should have done was to do a survey with the athletes to see what we want because ultimately, as much as it’s benefitting the country, at the end of the day it’s us who it really affects, but I’m still happy for the track,” the middle distance
He added: “I just hope they put some sort of transportation means in place for us because training on the track is essential for our development.”
Good move
Former Inter-Guiana Games and Schools National High Jump Champion, Carlon Pitt feels that the erection of the facility is a good move but agreed with harlequin about the placement of the facility.
“It’s a real good idea to build a rubber track but it would put real economic pressure on people that have to travel from far places like Berbice and those places.
“And the venue is wrong too, they should put it someplace higher geographically since we suffer from this flooding thing steady and also a place that should have been easier to access.”
Junior national schools 400m champion, Stephon James said:“It’s only recently I heard about it but it’s good that we’re getting a track it’s just the space we have to look at in terms of getting stands with the track.
“The other thing is distance – I would suggest they provide transportation for us especially once we have to train on it.”
Government congratulated—–
Female 100, 200 and 400 metres champion Alisha Fortune would have liked to facility to be nearer to the Capital City.
“Basically I would have preferred it being close by in Georgetown where it’s more accessible to us, but my two problems are how close it is to the seawalls which could possibly affect timings and the finance for people traveling from Berbice or so they would have to pay extra.
“But the important thing is that we are getting it which could also help us with tourism.
“When I was growing up I never thought we would have gotten it so I congratulate the government on giving it to us.”
And 100 and 200 metres junior champion Chavez Ageday, though glad about the facility, is a bit worried about the transportation issue.
“It’s a good opportunity for our local athletes to get a rubber track but the transportation would be difficult because we would have athletes coming from Corentyne and those areas, but it’s a good thing to have and we’ll have to reach there somehow.”
Stabroek Sport also canvassed the views of a number of persons who live in the area and received the following viewpoints.
“I think it’s a good idea and it wouldn’t just benefit the whole community but the country as well.
The only problem I have heard my friends talk about is that the land is too small for such a project, but we can’t wait for it to finish so we could have stuff to go to,” says Mellini Marks.
“It’s looking good so far, it would be better once you could get to jog on it instead of using the roads in the mornings but it’s looking good for our community,” added Odessa Young.
Chadrake Totaram feels that the facility will be useful for children.
“It’s good for the kids, it’s good what they are dong for the community, I didn’t know much about it because I didn’t really follow it up but it should be a good thing man,” was his take.
