Adrian Frater, News Editor
WESTERN BUREAU:
DESPITE ASSURANCES given by the St. James cricket authorities, Jarrett Park might not be available to host practice games in the build-up to the 2007 ICC Cricket World Cup unless provisions are made to facilitate football teams that will be displaced.
In an interview with The Gleaner this week, chairman of the Jarrett Park Management Committee (JPMC), Adrian Grant, said his committee had written to Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller seeking dialogue so alternative arrangements could be made to facilitate the football teams that currently use the park.
Jarrett Park, which is Montego Bay's premier sporting facility, is the home ground for Seba United and Wadadah FC, the western city's two contenders in the Wray and Nephew National Premier League football competition.
"We are now awaiting a reply from Mrs. Simpson Miller because, in all good conscience, we cannot just turn out the two football teams like that," said Grant.
"We would all want to see the cricket played here but at the same time the football teams have been our faithful clients over the years so we have an obligation to treat them with the respect they deserve."
UPGRADING OF VENUES
Should the Prime Minister accept the JPMC's request for dialogue, Grant said they would suggest the upgrading of either the UDC playing field or the unfinished Catherine Hall Stadium as alternative venues for the two football teams.
"All that is really needed is for seating arrangements to be put in place to meet the Jamaica Football Federation's (JFF) stipulation, which requires a minimum of 1,500 seats at all NPL venues," said Grant. "Such an arrangement would free up Jarrett Park for the cricket games."
In addition to the dislocation to football, Grant is also concerned about the fact that he has not heard of any plans from the cricket authorities to compensate the JPMC for the use of the park, which depends primarily on the revenue generated from rental for upkeep.
"I could not see us turning away the footballers who are paying to use the facility to facilitate the cricket, which has not indicated any plans to pay for the use of the facility," said Grant.
Earlier this year, the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for World Cup 2007 announced that Jarrett Park would be one the venues used for practice games.
Following intense lobbying by Trelawny Cricket Association President Phillip Service, a decision was taken to shift the games to an undisclosed venue in Trelawny.
The proposed switch drew the wrath of St. James Cricket Association President Tom Chambers who demanded that the decision be reversed, noting that Montego Bay had a top-class venue in Jarrett Park and the best hotel rooms and attractions in the region.
The decision was reversed and Jarrett Park was reinstated as the practice venue.
