Cavalier’s boss makes big plans for Turners Oval, home to Chapelton Maroons

Cavalier Soccer Club are now the new owners of Turners Oval, the home of Chapelton Maroons, and the club has big plans to expand it into a premier commercial complex.

Cavalier boss Rudolph Speid, when contacted, said the acquisition of the Clarendon property makes them the first local club to own property of their own, and that it is an indication of the significant strides the club has made over the years.

"We have moved from owning nothing to owning our own bus, to owning our own players’ residence, to now owning our own field. It is progress and an evolution. 

"We are taking the next step, and now we are the only club in Jamaica that own its own field, in terms of the land; everybody else has a lease. It's part of the evolution and a path to greatness," he commented.

The plans are to transform the facility into a full-time commercial hub, which will include an apartment where officials can stay when they visit, a food court, leisure area for adults, a place for children and two small-size fields where people can pay to play at all hours.

"We are planning to go all the way with it. It will be the best venue in Jamaica, easily. We will have naming rights, billboards. It will be a commercial complex with a VIP area, and all that. 

"Also, there is no private football stadium here to play international club matches. If we build out the proper way, we might be able to get those games. So that is the standard we are trying to reach," he said.

Cavalier purchasing Turners Oval, the home of Chapelton Maroons, was sure to raise eyebrows. The club is currently under the stewardship of the Phoenix Academy Group, led by Craig Butler and daughter Kaycie.

Speid and Butler have a long and tumultuous history, and Cavalier acquiring ownership of the property is sure to stir emotions.

However, Speid insists it was the only venue available and ready to be utilised. 

"There is no other stadium that I know of that is on sale, where we can go and play there right away.

"We were always looking for this opportunity. We have looked at other places across Jamaica to do the same thing. We made enquiries and asked for land from {the} Government to do certain things. So the opportunity came and we have the means, so we took it.

"However, in regard to renting, anybody that wants to rent it will have to talk to my CEO," he stated.

Despite the oval being based in Clarendon and Cavalier in Kingston, Speid insists they will remain a Kingston and St Andrew Football Association (KSAFA) club, but will utilise the venue to play matches and host other football activities.

"We surely will use it. Cavalier is a KSAFA club, but we might play games there. It might look a little weird but the truth is, it is just 50 minutes to drive to Turners Oval (from Kingston).

"It is not a must for the club to be in any one place. We have a lot of teams from U13s to U20s, men's teams, women's teams. So I am sure we are going to play there," he said.

When contacted, Butler insisted no such deal had taken place and that he was in the closing stages of buying the property.

livingston.scott@gleanerjm.com