Shelly-Ann Thompson, freelance Writer

The Goodyear Oval, next to the Old Goodyear Factory, in Morant Bay, St. Thomas, will be given a facelift for Cricket World Cup 2007.

The oval, host to many senior club cricket matches in the parish, is approximately 32 miles from Kingston, or about 50 minutes drive from the capital. Proposed work includes renovation of the pavilion, pitch, restroom, kitchen, lighting and perimeter fence.

Financial assistance for the refurbishing will come from proceeds from the 'Saddle To The East' show, being staged tomorrow night by Bounty Killer in collaboration with Upliftment Jamaica.

This aid will decrease the $5.1 million needed by the St. Thomas Cricket Association in making the grounds spectacular within the season of World Cup Cricket 2007.

"Many tourists will be coming to the island for cricket and being just minutes drive away we want to be able to showcase a nice ground," said Sandra Kenton-Fraser, executive director of Upliftment Jamaica.

Upliftment Jamaica, a non-profit community-based organisation that empowers children and adults through annual and year-round programmes, hopes to contribute more than half of the funds needed to renovate the facility.