GC Foster delays turn blessing for Central, Western Champs

High school teams competing in this month’s Central and Western Championships received good news yesterday as the G. C. Foster College track will be available to host both meets.

There were doubts surrounding the staging of the Western Championships on its final day, March 21, and the Central Championships scheduled for March 24-25 at the venue due to renovation work that was expected to begin a few weeks ago. The Central Hurdles, Relays and Field Events meet held on Saturday, January 24, had been expected to be the final meet staged there before the renovations.

Earlier, the Milo Western Relays, which was scheduled for the venue this Saturday, was cancelled because of the planned work. However, in an interview with The Gleaner yesterday, Sports Director of G. C. Foster College Chester McCarthy revealed that there have been more delays to the start of the renovation work, making the facility available for both regional championships.

“There will be a delay with work to be done on the track as the equipment on the wharf for this purpose is yet to be cleared as we are still awaiting the necessary paperwork,” said McCarthy.

“Because of this, we will be able to facilitate teams from central and western Jamaica to keep their championships at the venue as we know the importance of these meets for the schools and the development of track and field in the country,” added McCarthy, who also stated that repair work would likely begin on March 15, the day after the G. C. Foster Classics at the venue.

With earlier news about the likely unavailability of the facility, the University of the West Indies track had been named as an alternative venue, which would have resulted in additional travel expenses for teams from both regions.

Head coaches of Edwin Allen and Holmwood Technical Dave Anderson and his counterparts were extremely happy about the new development.

“We are extremely happy for this as at this time, with limited resources, it would have been difficult for us to travel to Kingston for the meet. It would have been a big challenge for us at Edwin Allen, and good sense has prevailed,” said Dyke, whose team are defending female champions.

Anderson was also relieved after hearing the news.

“I am extremely happy that the meet will still be held at G. C. Foster College after all as there were too many challenges going to Kingston. When I first heard about that venue I was very concerned as there is not a proper bathroom facility there to deal with all the teams, and it would have been very expensive travelling to Kingston for both days,” said Anderson.