Government is contemplating acquiring the North Point Surf Resort in St. Lucy and developing it into an ultra-modern sports venue.
This was disclosed by Minister of Sports, Stephen Lashley, following a tour of the over 30 acre property and Archers Bay today.
He was accompanied on the site visit by Minister of Housing, Lands and Rural Development, Denis Kellman, officials from both ministries, attorney-at-law for the owners, Lystra Kodilinye and caretaker Burton Alleyne.
Reflecting on the history of the facility as a venue for swimming meets, Mr. Lashley said this country???s sporting programme needed to be further developed to make it more attractive for international athletes if they wanted to use Barbados??? training facilities.
He explained that many of the teams, whether coming here for swimming or athletics, would also want ???to have accommodation quite close to the training facility, and one can see that with the amount of land that???s there???that we could even use the entire facility in terms of our desire to provide more sporting facilities???.
Looking at sports holistically, he said Barbados required a top-of-the-line, ultra-modern stadium and noted that Government was looking at a second option in terms of the current National Stadium and North Point Surf Resort could fit that bill.
???We are looking at re-designing the National Stadium, but of course, Barbados still needs an ultra-modern stadium and the land here (at North Point), part of it is owned by the government, the other part, of course, would have to be acquired, does lend itself to that possibility,??? he noted.
In turn, Minister Kellman said it was important for Government to look at acquiring land for developmental purposes and indicated that the property at North Point had much potential.
???We not only have to look for land for the various government ministries, but the agencies of the Ministry, for example, National Housing [Corporation] has to have a land bank,??? he noted.
The resort, which is now derelict, is privately owned but is up for sale. It was once the home for sporting events in the 70s and overlooks the Atlantic Ocean.
cathy.lashley@barbados.gov.bb??