The Leila Robinson Courts will receive a major facelift before the end of the year, says minister without portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for sports, Natalie Neita-Headley.

The courts were earmarked for repairs by the previous administration as part of plans to mark Jamaica's 50th anniversary of Independence. These plans were thrown into doubt, however, after the current administration launched a special audit of the expenditure into the national celebrations.

addressing the situation

However, the Government has recognised the urgent need for repairs to be made to the popular netball facility and things are already in motion to address the situation.

"I am pleased to announce that the Sports Development Foundation (SDF) intends to provide assistance with the refurbishment of the Leila Robinson netball courts this year," Neita-Headley disclosed yesterday while speaking at the press launch for the University of Technology (UTech)/Jamaica Netball Association (JNA) advanced level-one netball coaching certification course at UTech's Faculty of Sports and Science Conference Room.

"The project has already gone through the allocation committee and is slated to be one of the projects undertaken this year? not next year, this year," she reaffirmed.

Though not in a position to state exactly when the project will commence, Neita-Headley disclosed that it is now for the SDF to determine procurement guidelines.

Major Desmon Brown, general manager of Independence Park Limited (IPL), which manages the National Stadium facility, has been quoted as saying it will cost between US$30,000 and $45,000 each to resurface the four netball courts. The figure would rise significantly if the wooden benches were to be replaced with aluminium structures.