First-class grounds in Grenada (21 February 1999)

21 February 1999

First-class grounds in Grenada

Diane Lumsden-Brandis in Grenada

It has the makings of a modern sports complex.

And the newly reconstructed Queen's Park cricket stadium in St. George's is taking shape ahead of the island's first One-Day cricket International in more than 15 years.

The stadium, which is to host the second One-Day International between West Indies and Australia on April 14, costs about US$23 million and will accommodate 10 000 fans sitting and a further 5 000 standing.

When it is finished, there will be state-of-the-art equipment including a digital scoreboard that will be electronically activated, modern pitch-covers on wheels, ground hogs and up-to-date sporting equipment.

The grounds are surrounded by breathtaking scenery that boasts hills and hills of supple vegetation.

To ensure the grass is green in time for the big day, water sprinklers are in place to stimulate grass growth.

A few minor details still need to be wrapped up: the media centre and players' pavilion need to be completed, and the perimeter walls need to be closed.

One man who has watched the stadium develop is Walter St. John, president of the Grenada Cricket Association, a member of the West Indies Cricket Board and co-chairman of the organising committee for the April 14 match.

"A ground like this one is long overdue. It is good to see cricket facilities being upgraded in Grenada. This will raise the standard of the sport in this country," he told SunSport.

"It will also help to build the self-esteem of the youth in our country as they will have the opportunity to see international cricket."

Tickets for the One-Day International are all sold out, with most of the tickets purchased on the Internet.

"Many Grenadians who came home for carnival last August noticed that the cricket ground was being built and started enquiring about tickets from then," said chief groundsman Mike Smith.

"The Grenada Tourist Board, our Grenadian foreign embassies abroad, and the West Indies Cricket Board were also very instrumental in marketing the match."

The pitch at the new stadium will not be prepared in the traditional British way and will be more in line with the Australian style, according to Smith.

"Most of the English-speaking Caribbean was colonised by the British. As a result, we have a habit of following British customs," he said.

"This is good for some things, but not for all, especially when we are talking about cricket being played in two different climates."

Source :: The Barbados Nation (https://www.nationnews.com/)