Western Bureau:

During George Evan's tenure as president of the St James Football Association (StJFA), he negotiated with and got the Sports Development Foundation (SDF) to refurbish the Urban Development Corporation (UDC) field, in Montego Bay, at a cost of J$2.3m.

When the refurbishing was completed in May 2006 and the facility handed over to the StJFA, it was a gem. The playing surface was simply fabulous, lush, green and well-protected by sturdy-looking perimetre fencing, a generous gift from Tankweld Limited.

At the time, the pristine-looking facility held so much promise that many of the persons who had turned out for the opening ceremony, expressed the view that if a few spectator stands could be erected at the facility, the popular seaside venue had the potential to become a major generator of revenue.

However, after an initial attempt at proper maintenance, the facility, which initially had a caretaker in place to administer watering and manicuring, steadily began to fall apart as the maintenance programme was scrapped shortly after the pump that was used to water the field was stolen.

In addition, the initial attempt at regulating the use of the playing field was also abandoned, resulting in heavy usage, both authorised and unauthorised. With no watering and maintenance taking place, the once pristine playing surface quickly became barren, as the grass steadily disappeared and the dirt surface gradually loosened, turning into dust.

criticise the STJFA

At the time, I regularly used this column to criticise the StJFA for failing to keep the assurance that the facility would be properly maintained, if it had been given to the SDF. Needless to say, despite my efforts and those of my Western Mirror colleague Craig Oates, who also took the football administration to task, we were either ignored or accused of seeking to undermine the football board.

However, in my opinion, the cardinal sin was committed in 2010 when during a week of intense rains the facility was used as a car park for the Reggae Sumfest music festival. At the end of the festival, the playing field was all but transformed into a huge mudhole, resulting in major public outcry.

As the details surrounding how the field came to be used as a car park surfaced, a major scandal erupted as it was discovered that the funds generated went into the pockets of board members. Embarrassed by the ugly revelations, Evans, who did not benefit in any way, took responsibility and resigned as FA president.

Since then, the situation at the UDC field has got progressively worse. There is hardly a day that the facility is not used, resulting in significant deterioration of the playing surface. In addition, a substantial section of the perimetre fencing has been taken away by vandals, leaving it wide open to stray animals.

Based on its current state, the promise by the SDF to offer further developmental assistance at the UDC facility, which they tied to proper maintenance, is not likely to happen because of the level of deterioration that has taken place since 2006. With no other plans for upkeep, the future of the facility now looks dicey.

At a time when sports is offering up so many exciting possibilities, in terms of lucrative pay days for top athletes, it is an absolute disgrace that a facility, which holds so much promise, in terms of its scope for promoting sport tourism and health-related value components, it is sad that through lack of insight, a sporting facility with so much is being destroyed right before our very eyes.

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