Guaracara Park in a sorry state

BY DONSTAN BONN

donstan.bonn@trinidadexpress.com

SOUTHERN Games is synonymous with sports in the city of San Fernando.

For decades, stakeholders have described it as a major event on Trinidad and Tobago's sporting calendar.

Synonymous with the Games is Guaracara Park in Pointe-a-Pierre.

However, the last time Guaracara Park opened its gates to international, regional and local athletes and cyclists was in 2018-the same year State oil company Petrotrin, which had oversight for the facility, closed its doors.

In 2019, the Games' track and field programme was held at the Mannie Ramjohn Stadium in Marabella while the Irwin Park Sporting Complex in Siparia hosted the cycling events. Former national cyclist and chairman of the Southern Games Organising Committee, Anthony Commissiong, believes the situation regarding the Games at Guaracara Park is untenable.

'We had a three-year hiatus from 2020 to 2022 because of the Covid-19 pandemic, and this year Guaracara Park was once again unavailable due to its current state of disrepair,' Commissiong told the Sunday Express.

He said in April the organising committee did a site visit to Guaracara Park, and what he saw brought tears to his eyes.

'When we tried to get Skinner Park, since Guaracara Park was again not available, we were turned down, but it was a decision we took in stride,' Commissiong told the Sunday Express. 'The condition of the facility was so disappointing, I was in tears when I watched the place.'

He added: 'My first Southern Games was in 1969, and I rode from '69 to '77, so I was in tears to see all the bush and state of neglect.'

He said the grass on the main field needs to be trimmed and the surface is uneven with many cracks.

'The stands are in a dire state of disrepair. Wooden planks are missing from the flooring and the galvanised sheets for the roofing are either rusted or missing. The metal framework requires painting, with some portions needing replacement,' Commissiong said, adding that electrical repairs are necessary, minor masonry needs to be done, and the stand on the eastern side of the facility needs repairs.

He also noted that the area used by cyclists to warm up has become covered with bushes and trees.

'Our committee will seek permission from Heritage Petroleum Company Ltd or Paria Fuel Trading Company, whichever now has oversight, to seek sponsorship to accomplish the rehabilitation of Guaracara Park.

'If we have to do it ourselves, go and find sponsors, approach stores and hardwares, even the Government as well, and go down ourselves with our shovels and brooms, we will do it,' Commissiong said.

He said the committee has decided to do all it can even if they have to walk with their own brush-cutters, shovels, welding plans, cutlasses, hammers and saws.

He said so intent are the members in getting the venue back on track, they have approached a contractor to get a costing for the repairs required, and are awaiting feedback.

He said in terms of funding for the Games, they have already approached businesses and individuals, and many have expressed a willingness to assist but more financial assistance will be required to facilitate the hosting of the Games next year.

Noting that they don't want to be in a position where they have to cancel the Games, as was done this year due to the unavailability of Guaracara Park and permission for the use of Skinner Park not being granted, Commissiong said the plan for next year's Games is to honour former chairman Jim Clarke, who passed away in March.

'We also plan to put forward a recommendation for our committee to manage Guaracara Park as our committee comprises members who are already familiar with the management of the facilities,' Commissiong stated.

National Association of Athletic Administrations (NAAA) president George Commissiong added his voice to calls for the revitalisation of Guaracara Park and Southern Games.

He noted that Southern Games was one of three sport meets put on by the foreign oil companies, the other two being the Mahaica Games (formerly Shell and then Trintoc) in Point Fortin; and the Palo Seco Games, which began as BP before going through name changes of Tesoro, Trintopec and Petrotrin.

'After the formation of Petrotrin in 1993, which saw the amalgamation of the three predecessor companies, it was difficult for one entity to sponsor the three events, so the first to be discontinued was the Mahaica Games,' the NAAATT president said.

Noting that Southern Games and Palo Seco Games were supported, but no longer fully sponsored, up to 2018, George Commissiong said with the closure of Petrotrin, the eight company clubs including the two popular sporting clubs at Guaracara and Palo Seco with their related infrastructure were closed.

'Some of those involved tried to continue the tradition the year or two afterwards, but the essence of the event - athletics and cycling combined at the same venue was lost,' Commissiong said.

He said those Games served several purposes, including:

1. A forum for top local cyclists and athletes to show their talent against one another and against top class international competition 2. An opportunity for fans to see top class competition

3. A business/vending opportunity for small entrepreneurs, especially those from the communities in which the events were held 4. A social occasion - the sponsors used it to entertain key stakeholders and for many of the participants and patrons it was an opportunity to go South on an excursion or family activity.

5. Major event on the sporting calendar for the Trinidad and Tobago Cycling Federation and the NAAATT 6. The events allowed for selection of athletes and cyclists to represent T&T based on their performances.

'As indicated previously it is both the discontinuation of the events and the closure of the facilities that have impacted both sports. The all-weather track at Arima Velodrome is unsuitable for athletics. Irwin Park in Siparia, although having a grassed field and velodrome, lacks the space and is also unsuitable in its present condition,' George Commissiong said, noting that it was possible to host a cycling meet at Skinner Park, which was recently upgraded, but not an athletics event.

'So, the closure of the facilities and lack of sponsorship has reduced the opportunities for non-sporting organisations, athletes, cyclists and sport fans, and has ultimately led to a centralisation of activities at the cycling velodrome in Couva and the Hasely Crawford Stadium, the only facility in Trinidad than can accommodate both track and field, similar to Tobago's Dwight Yorke Stadium. Mannie Ramjohn, Larry Gomes and Ato Boldon stadia are really football fields with a track (all in need of repair) without facilities for field events,' George Commissiong said.

When contacted, chairman of Trinidad Petroleum Holdings Ltd Michael Quamina, told the Sunday Express that as far as he's aware no correspondence was received by Heritage Petroleum or Paria Fuel for the use of the facility at Guaracara Park.

He said the overgrown grass at the facility had been recently cut and efforts are being made with regard to the maintenance of the venue.

'If anyone reaches out to us with regard to the use of the facility we will look favourably at it because we want the facility to be operational, not just for the hosting of Southern Games, but for other events as well.

'However, what I can say is that we have not had any requests.'

In 2018, Trinidad and Tobago's first Olympic gold medallist Hasely Crawford described himself a product of Southern Games.

Back then he recalled a number of international and local athletes who would have participated at the Games over the years, including Bob Hayes and Bruce Jenner, as well as local heroes Roger Gibbon, Edwin Roberts and Hilton Mitchell among others. Crawford said then the Games served as a warm-up for the country's CARIFTA Games athletes.

The dilapidated scoreboard at Guaracara Park, Pointe-a-Pierre, late last month. -Photos: TREVOR WATSON

Two men play tennis at the still-functional courts at Guaracara Park.

Front of Petrotrin Sports Club at the park.

Entrance to the tennis court and main stand, left, at Guaracara Park.