After two years and a hefty investment tag of $351 million in renovations, the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH) unofficially reopened its doors just under two weeks ago, hosting a few matchdays of the National Futsal competition and the Elton Dharry versus Randy Ramirez
Pro-Am Boxing card.
While a previous assessment done by this publication found a few positives, a capacity crowd on Friday last (January 3) which witnessed the grand finale of the Kashif and Shanghai-organised National Futsal competition, exposed flaws in the highly touted upgrades. Notably, President Irfaan Ali, Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water Susan Rodrigues, Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill and Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Charles Ramson Jr were all in attendance.
One of the most anticipated upgrades was the installation of a new air conditioning system, intended to provide a comfortable environment for spectators and athletes alike. For a second time as experienced by Stabroek Sports, while the system appeared functional at the beginning of the event, its efficacy diminished as the venue approached full capacity. Attendees reported that the air conditioning was almost nonexistent during peak occupancy, leading to discomfort—a stark contrast to its performance in less crowded conditions. This inconsistency raises concerns about the system’s capacity and the adequacy of its design to handle large gatherings.
A much closer examination of the facility revealed that several upgrades might be more cosmetic than substantive. The stands, for instance, appeared to have been repainted without significant structural improvement. It remains unclear whether this is a temporary measure pending the
installation of bucket seats, as previously announced by the ministry, or a superficial effort to prepare the venue for the government-backed National Futsal Championship. Similarly, the basketball court’s playing area seemed to have been repainted rather than resurfaced.
The event also exposed flaws in the facility’s plumbing. The men’s washroom experienced flooding due to faulty plumbing, an issue that became apparent under the strain of a full house. These problems suggest that the renovations may not have adequately addressed the infrastructure’s foundational systems, which are crucial for accommodating large crowds during major events. The government’s portrayal of the venue as modernized seems at odds with the practical realities experienced by attendees.