Parent company of the Barbados Light & Power, EMERA Inc., will invest over BDS $646,000 in a project to upgrade the lighting systems at the Barbados National Stadium.
This was disclosed at a press conference this morning at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, Sky Mall, Haggatt Hall, St. Michael, where a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between EMERA Inc. and the Ministry.
The Minister of Culture, Sports and Youth, Stephen Lashley, outlined the benefits of the new lighting system, stating that this particular project will provide suitable illumination for all local events held at the National Stadium, and make it possible for the venue to host some international events as well.
The lighting upgrade will begin shortly and is slated to be completed by March 2015, a period during which several popular local sporting events are held. However, Mr. Lashley assured the public that any schedule conflicts would be avoided.
???We will schedule the project in a manner where it does not encroach on any engagement from the National Sport Council, such as the National Association of Primary Schools Athletic Championships, or the Barbados Secondary Schools??? Athletic Championships and all the events that we cherish so dearly,??? he stressed.
The Minister also pointed out that despite the welcome upgrade of the venue???s lighting, there was still more work to be done.
???Our intention is to completely redevelop the National Stadium. We started with the track which was laid almost two years ago and now we are dealing with the lighting. I believe that EMERA???s partnership with the Government of Barbados in this particular endeavour will be seen as a plus which will help to build the passions of our young people who will be the beneficiaries of the National Stadium,??? he asserted.
In response, Executive Chairman of EMERA Caribbean Limited, Sarah MacDonald stated: ???When the opportunity arose to provide funding for lighting at the Barbados National Stadium, we were very pleased to step forward. New lighting for the Stadium means that the facility which has played host to a variety of events can continue to serve as a venue for youth, sports and healthy competition.???
While this is the first sporting community investment in Barbados by EMERA Inc., the company has provided funding for other venues throughout the region, including the redevelopment of the Little League Baseball Park in Grand Bahama, The Bahamas, earlier this year.
jamal.hall@barbados.gov.bb