Light idea on track

Barbadians could soon be enjoying horse racing and cricket under lights.

The Barbados Turf Club (BTC) and the Barbados Cricket Association (BCA) are investigating the possibility of installing lights at the Garrison and Kensington Oval.

A team from the American company Musco Lighting, out of Iowa, has just concluded a visit to Barbados where members met officials of the BTC and BCA and examined facilities at the Garrison and Kensington with a view to submitting proposals for setting up lighting systems at both venues.

Popular horse owner and BTC member, Sir David Seale, has been asked by the directors to look into the feasibility of bringing night racing to Barbados, something that he has been suggesting for a long time.

He is working with a BTC committee made up of directors Phillip Moseley, Stephen Farmer and Luther Miller.

'The thinking is to turn the Garrison into a lighted park and a recreational area where not only horse racing will be conducted but a place that can be enjoyed by all for longer periods of time,' Sir David said.

The owner who has won more Gold Cups than anyone else said the idea was to, among other things, landscape the infield at the Garrison, extend and upgrade the jogging track and generally make the area a multi-sports complex. Additionally there would be areas where people could relax.

Sir David disclosed that the initial proposal for the Garrison included installing a rubberised jogging track where young athletes could train at night, and the setting up of practice pitches with nets, which could be utilised by cricketers after dark.

It's understood that other sports like basketball, football and rugby will also benefit from a lighted Garrison Savannah.

Regarding concern that the Garrison may lose its character, Sir David said: 'The historic nature of the area cannot be ignored and all development will be aimed at blending the old and the new in a positive way.'

It's estimated that 35 lights will be used to illuminate the track. They are expected to be mounted on 85-ft. poles on the inside of the racecourse. There will be others to cover the infield and all will blend in with the landscaping as much as possible.

Sir David said the introduction of night racing to Barbados could greatly turn around the fortunes of horse racing, as it had done at several tracks overseas.

People who, because of their job and difficult working hours, could not go to racing on Saturday afternoons, should be better able to get to the Garrison in the evening, he argued. He also saw night racing as an exciting attraction for visitors who in most cases prefer to stay on the beaches during the day.

The Turf Club expects that preliminary plans, including costing, will be in its hands by the end of this month. Early estimates indicate that it would take about $1.5 million to finance the plan.

The BTC seems to be more advanced in its thinking about operating at night than the BCA.

Chief executive officer Selwyn Smith said a committee met with representatives of Musco Lighting and the company's team inspected the grounds at the Oval. Musco has been invited to put a proposal to the BCA.

Smith said that although no decision has been taken one way or the other, any introduction of lights at Kensington would be a good thing for cricket. He said most Barbadian players only met these conditions when they went overseas and had to adjust quickly.

The BCA will also have to look at the possibility of introducing other events with a view to justifying the cost of installing lights.